KwaMhlanga – Sun City AA in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, has degenerated into an eyesore.
From poor roads to water shortages, residents of Sun City AA say they have had enough.
Residents complain of non-existent services in the African National Congress-led Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.
Their disappointment and angst were directed at officials of the local municipality whom they accuse of failing to live up to their mandate to deliver services to the people.
Ward 20 residents complained about the poor state of roads they said were last maintained a decade ago.
They also complained about persistent water shortages.
Many residents said they have to carry water in containers – the better-off ones use wheelbarrows – for long distances.
Dirt and gravel roads need to be maintained and re-gravelled – something resident Geelboy Mahlangu told The Bulrushes was desperately needed.
The poor state of the roads was not only damaging vehicles, it was also endangering the lives of users, he said.
Mahlangu said navigating along the treacherous roads – which have giant potholes and protruding rocks – was especially dangerous at night and during the rains.
“We have had enough of the ignorance and poor services we are receiving from the municipality,” Mahlangu said.
“Imagine a road will only be fixed when there is a funeral and such behaviour is unacceptable and undemocratic.”
Mahlangu added: “We are all voters and entitled to better services as mandated in our Constitution.
“Who must die before we can see a road being attended to?
“We deserve responses from the municipality.”
Another resident, Maria Skhosana, said they risked their lives whenever they had to push wheelbarrows with buckets of water across the dangerous R573 road, better known as Moloto Road.
“We don’t even have water from the taps in our yards,” complained Skhosana.
She said many residents from the area where she lives get water from the nearby Phola Park Village on the other side of Moloto Road.
“This really puts our lives in danger because of the speeding vehicles.”
Skhosana said numerous deadly road accidents have occurred along Moloto Road.
Asked for comment, Simphiwe Mashiyane, spokesperson for the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, said the priority was to first maintain main roads.
Pressed further on the dirt roads, Mashiyane requested the questions in writing and was yet to respond fully.
