Ekurhuleni MMC tells Tsietsi residents why the area won’t be electrified any time soon

Michael Mhlongo (31), a Tsietsi resident since 2000, said they were initially told the area was temporary while homes were being built in nearby extensions 9 and 10, which he refers to as the “promised land”. 

“Some people were moved there while others remained behind. Their stands are being sold here to others. It feels like we are being forgotten,” he said.  

“Every meeting we are told of budget issues. Toilets were promised, and they gave us chemical ones to make it seem like something was happening. But nothing lasting ever follows.” 

Mhlongo added that service delivery in the area is poor. Police and ambulances take hours to respond, if they come at all, he said.

“If someone gets hurt or is sick at 10pm, emergency services only come the next morning, and by then the person might already be dead. Car hijackers also use this area as a dumping zone for stripping vehicles. This is no way to live.” 

Nelisiwe Khumalo, 62, a Tsietsi resident since 2009, said she has been waiting for her RDP house since 1996.  “Every year they promise us houses, but nothing comes. A decent home remains a distant dream,” she said. 

Khumalo added that there is a rumour that the land where the informal settlement currently sits is privately owned, and they fear that one day they might just be evicted. 

Residents say they were tired of empty promises and being treated as if they should be grateful for non-existent basic services. 

At the time of publication, the City of Ekurhuleni had not responded to Sowetan’s queries regarding the allegations around service delivery raised by the Tsietsi residents. 

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