Frustrated residents of Pillies Farm in Midvaal Local Municipality have taken to the streets, protesting what they describe as decades of inadequate service delivery and broken promises by local government officials. The protest has led to the partial blockage of the R59 road, with police on site attempting to restore order and engage with the community.
According to a report, residents at the informal settlement are furious over the lack of basic amenities. They claim they have been living without reliable access to water, electricity, and proper sanitation facilities for years. Community members spoke of using unsafe water tanks provided intermittently and relying on unsanitary pit latrines or septic tanks.
“We have been trying to engage the ward councillor and the Mayor, but to no avail,” a resident said, reflecting the widespread sentiment of desperation. The frustration runs deep, with one community leader stating they have been advocating for improvements since at least 2002, without receiving any positive response from municipal leadership.
A key point of contention is a reported promise made by the Mayor during Integrated Development Planning (IDP) meetings. Residents claim the Mayor assured them they would be relocated to serviced land before February 2025. However, they report that the Mayor is “nowhere to be found” and no relocation plans have materialized.
“This year, there are no responses from the Mayor,” one resident lamented. “The Mayor promised them that before February 2025, these people will be relocated… but now the Mayor is nowhere to be found.”
The frustration has boiled over into action. Residents, including long-term residents some of whom have lived there since the 1940s, decided to blockade the R59 road with stones, causing traffic disruptions. One resident expressed the community’s resolve, stating, “We going to continue to close the road because we staying here for a while, no change… if he doesn’t give us the change, we’re going to go to close the road.”
Another resident, living in the area for 30 years, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the lack of progress despite numerous attempts to communicate their needs. “We’ve got a lot of problem,” he said, adding that previous attempts to seek help have failed, leaving them feeling abandoned.
Residents are demanding that the area be formally recognized and developed, providing them with permanent housing, water taps, electricity, and proper sanitation. They want changes implemented soon, warning that protests will continue if their demands are ignored.
Police officials are present at the scene, working to manage the situation and restore law and order. While the atmosphere is tense, reports indicate it is not currently volatile. The Ward Councillor is also reportedly on site, engaging with residents and police amidst the ongoing protest.
