The Isipingo Ratepayers and Residents Association (IRRA) recently confronted the eThekwini Municipality over ongoing service delivery issues at a tense meeting held on Friday. Local residents voiced their frustrations with the state of their community, particularly highlighting problems with the Kanku Housing Project. The project, which started in 2020 with a R70 million redevelopment, has been plagued with issues, the most pressing being the malfunctioning sewage pump station. As a result, sewage has been flooding into residents’ homes on Nilgiri Crescent, while also contributing to a foul smell in the surrounding Isipingo area. The project, which consists of 360 low-income housing units, has failed to meet residents’ expectations for basic infrastructure.
Ratepayers listed a wide range of concerns, from illegal dumping and roadside mechanics to the presence of illegal immigrants, pop-up drug stalls, and mini-bus taxis causing congestion. These taxis not only occupy open spaces, parks, and residential pavements but also block driveways and stop randomly along the roads. In addition, residents have been dealing with recurring water and electricity outages, illegal spaza shops, and the unregulated occupation of land, which has led to flooding in areas such as Old South Coast.
Spokesperson for the IRRA, Sunildutt Ramadhar, expressed his disappointment with the lack of progress, particularly after meeting with the mayor last year. He demanded that officials act swiftly to address the issues that continue to worsen. “We pay R684 per month for rates. Why should we accept these challenges? Where has our money gone?” he questioned. Ramadhar suggested that to combat illegal dumping, the city should allow residents and contractors to use skip bins at the eThekwini garden refuse collection sites. He also proposed fencing off vacant and municipal-owned land to prevent misuse by roadside mechanics and mini-bus taxis.
eThekwini Ward 90 councillor Shad Nowbuth acknowledged that the wastewater pump station had yet to be fully handed over due to incomplete work by contractors. He also pointed out that the electricity network in the area was under strain, with one supply line not being replaced, further exacerbating the situation. Nowbuth expressed confidence that if the community came together, these issues could be resolved.
Reginald Cele, a representative from the mayor’s office, promised that a follow-up feedback meeting would be held to identify the root causes of the service delivery problems in Ward 90. Cele encouraged collaboration between community groups and municipal officials to address the issues effectively. He stressed that a clear presentation would be given to outline the steps needed to overcome the challenges.
At the meeting, Isipingo SAPS station commander Colonel Hensford Zama and Durban metro police Superintendent Magan Govender provided updates on their ongoing efforts to address crime and congestion in the area. Both officials reported that daily arrests and prosecutions were taking place in Isipingo. Zama suggested that the city establish a designated park-off area for mini-bus taxis to reduce traffic congestion in the CBD, and emphasized the importance of regularly cutting grass in public spaces to prevent criminal activity.
As the community grapples with these service delivery issues, residents are hopeful that the meeting will lead to meaningful change and improvements in their quality of life.
