EMALAHLENI – eMalahleni Executive Mayor, Vusi Nhlapho, met with residents of Ward 1 on Tuesday, June 03, 2025, to address growing concerns about poor living conditions in wetland areas.
The community engagement, held at the Hlalanikahle Water Tank, focused on the municipality’s plans to relocate affected households and improve local infrastructure.
Mayor Nhlapho was joined by the MMC for Technical Services, Thabang Mathebula, and a delegation from the Office of the Deputy Director of Planning (DDP). Ward 1 Councillor Ntsoeleng Tlapi and members of the Ward Committee were also in attendance.
Nhlapho acknowledged the hardships faced by families residing in wetland zones and assured residents that a comprehensive relocation strategy was being prioritised. “We are here to listen, assess, and act. No family should live under unsafe or undignified conditions,” said the Mayor.
To ensure that interventions meet the specific needs of the affected communities, the municipality will soon launch a door-to-door inspection initiative. This is intended to provide a clear overview of the current living conditions and guide effective relocation planning and service delivery.
In response to complaints about the poor state of local roads, residents were informed that road maintenance, specifically levelling and grading, would commence on Wednesday, June 04, 2025. This intervention is expected to improve access and enhance safety in the area.
The eMalahleni Local Municipality reaffirmed its commitment to working in partnership with communities and advancing inclusive development. “Together with our communities, we are working towards a future where every resident has access to safe, dignified, and sustainable living conditions,” Mayor Nhlapho concluded.
The meeting marks another step in the municipality’s ongoing efforts to engage directly with residents and to address infrastructural and socio-economic challenges across eMalahleni.
