With the past local elections a distant memory, interest in the upkeep of Laudium, by the ruling political party in the council, has long been neglected, despite the many promises of efficient service delivery, that were made at the time.
Distressed residents approached the Laudium Sun out of concern, saying that the council was neglecting many responsibilities including crime and grime in the area, neglected street signage/ lights, overgrown grass and illegally parked taxis in the Laudium CBD. Motorist, Rashid Ebrahim, of Bengal Street fumed, “many of our roads are riddled with deep potholes. The potholes on the Military Road have been there for so long, and despite many of us reporting this to the council, the matter is continuously swept under the rug. Those of us who have to use these pothole ridden roads are often burdened with unanticipated expenses as a direct result of the potholes, such as damaged tyres, wheel alignment and balancing.”
Another irate resident, Faizal Hassim of Himalaya Street added, “The area has been in a shameful state for years now and nothing is being done to alleviate this problem. Laudium is slowly turning into a slum, thanks to the blind eye of the authorities. Overcrowding, vacant houses and illegal dumping pose a threat to our safety."
Another resident, Ronnie Pillay of 13th Ave, vented to our paper about a lopsided streetlight on 19th Avenue, which he said has been in that condition for months.
He also complained about a leaning stop sign at the corner of Delhi Avenue and Bengal Street and a fallen floodlight, at the sports grounds, that has remained ignored by council, for more than a year. "Besides all these issues, there is filth all over the place, which attracts rodents and vermin. Can't the council just keep the place clean? Ronnie asked.
The very vocal resident voiced his extreme discontent saying, “It is about time that the politicians step up and tackle these pressing issues. They must keep to their election manifesto, instead of making false promises every five years. I hope residents will vote wisely in the next election and not be duped again during election time".
The leaning stop sign on the corner of Delhi Avenue and Bengal Street in Laudium.
The fallen floodlight at the Laudium Sports ground, that has been left unattended for more than a year.
The lopsided streetlight on 19th Avenue in Laudium.
One of the many deep potholes on the Military Road, Laudium.