Lakefield Sub-station stripped and abandoned

by Cllr Mary Goby — DA Ward 28 Councillor in Ekurhuleni

Date: 15 June 2021

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is dismayed at the ANC-led Coalition inability to maintain and protect municipal property.

Residents across the failing ANC and its coalition partners’ led Metro are enduring unplanned power outages for extended periods.

Yet, vital infrastructure continues to fall into a total state of collapse. As the DA, we visited the sub-station situated in Lakefield, Benoni, which has been abandoned for years and any resemblance of infrastructure is stripped.

The abandoned building has become a safety hazard and a security concern for residents of the area. While all the switchgear was removed by Ekurhuleni, vagrants use the abandoned building and residents have escalated this matter to the municipality, but calls have been ignored. Residents have subsequently locked the building, however, the locks are broken off within days.

As the building continues to deteriorate, it has become a safety concern as the foundation is cracked and residents fear its collapse.

This derelict building is also a hive for drug users and other unlawful happenings and it’s time for this unsafe structure to be assessed by Ekurhuleni and a decision taken on whether to revamp it or demolish it.

The ANC led Coalition municipality is uncaring towards the residents of Ekurhuleni and this matter needs to be addressed urgently.

The DA will be submitting a resident-driven petition calling for this structure to be demolished urgently.

#Time4Change

*Coalition Partners: African Independent Congress (AIC), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)

(Attached: Images of Lakefield Sub-station)

Cllr Mary Goby

DA Ward 28 councillor in Ekurhuleni