Image Source: The Citizen
Local – The Emfuleni Local Municipality is under intense pressure as residents face the twin crises of collapsing service delivery and recurring flooding. Communities are grappling with blocked roads, rising water, and growing frustration over the lack of practical solutions.
Cllr. Gerda Senekal pointed out that areas such as Three Rivers have been especially hard hit, with major roads closed due to rising water levels.
Senekal described this as a recurring issue, explaining that the area’s floodlines have not been updated since 1965, leaving low-lying neighbourhoods vulnerable whenever heavy rains fall.
She also highlighted that the municipality’s ageing drainage systems make matters worse, causing repeated damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
“It leaves the question of whether the revised flood line should be looked at or if there even is one. To my knowledge, the last revised flood line was done in 1965, so it’s outdated … With the heavy rainfall we’re getting and drainage systems in Emfuleni that are not up to date, it leads to flooding,” she said.
Poor Service Delivery Affecting Residents
Beyond the flooding, Senekal said poor service delivery, especially waste collection, has become a serious concern, with many neighbourhoods reporting no refuse removal for over a month.
Despite this, residents continue to be billed for weekly collection. At the same time, some businesses are charged thousands of rands each month for services they aren’t receiving.
Senekal noted that some residents have begun refusing to pay, arguing that it’s unreasonable to be charged for services they aren’t getting, while others have turned to private waste collectors.
As a result, Senekal said many people now rely on private collectors, though many of these are not registered with the municipality. This has led to a rise in illegal dumping, creating health hazards and adding to the community’s challenges.
“Their understanding is if I pay R256 per month for a weekly service that I’m not getting, I can rather pay R100 to a private refuse collector picking it up every week and taking it away, so out of sight, out of mind. … It’s a very difficult situation for everybody,” she said.
However, even when residents refuse to pay, Senekal explained that the outstanding amounts stay on their accounts and accumulate, eventually putting them at risk of disconnection or legal action.
She added that if someone could help educate residents on how to handle the situation legally, many might avoid falling deeper into financial or legal trouble.
