KRIEL – After years of feeling neglected and frustrated due to poor service delivery, the Ga-Nala community in Kriel called for urgent intervention from the municipality.
In response, Executive Mayor Vusi Nhlapho convened a community engagement meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Kriel Community Hall, where residents voiced their grievances.
Poor road conditions, irregular waste collection, unreliable water supply, sanitation challenges, and deteriorating infrastructure were among the key issues raised. Residents also complained that their concerns had, for too long, fallen on deaf ears.
In his address, Nhlapho acknowledged their frustrations and committed to giving the Ga-Nala community the attention it deserved. He assured them that, moving forward, the municipality would work closely with them to improve service delivery and restore trust.
True to his word, five days later, on March 18, 2025, Mayor Nhlapho returned to Ga-Nala to begin fulfilling his promises.
His first step was providing much-needed support to small businesses in the area. As part of the municipality’s Local Economic Development (LED) programme, he handed over essential tools of trade, including gazebos, tables, and chairs, to informal traders. These resources aim to improve trading conditions, attract more customers, and help small businesses generate sustainable incomes.
“This is the promise we made on the 13th, and we are here to deliver,” he said. “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our local economy, and empowering them is key to building stronger communities.”
In addition to supporting small businesses, the Mayor confirmed that road repairs had already begun. Work was underway to address the poor road infrastructure that had long been a major concern for residents. Other service delivery challenges highlighted during the engagement were also being addressed, including waste collection services and improving access to clean water and sanitation.
Some residents shared their thoughts on the Mayor’s intervention. Nhlonipho Sosibo expressed concerns about the role of community forums in service delivery, saying, “We would also like to see the system of community forums removed because it affects us. Sometimes it creates more problems than solutions.”
Vusi Ngwambe, another community member, said, “We trust that the Mayor will continue to live by his word. We will also be keeping a close eye on him to make sure these promises are not forgotten.”
The eMalahleni Local Municipality reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with the people of Ga-Nala to resolve service delivery issues. Mayor Nhlapho emphasised that this was only the beginning of a long-term partnership focused on rebuilding trust and improving the quality of life for all residents.
