Reviving Shallcross: a community’s battle for better services

CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

RESIDENTS of Shallcross are rallying against decades of neglect, demanding better municipal services and community restoration as they face ongoing decay, illegal dumping and safety concerns

The local swimming pool has been closed for 27 years and the sports grounds have not been repaired since 2010 after it was vandalised and fell into disrepair.

The embattled community said they were also plagued by ongoing power and water outages, illegal dumping, damaged roads and drug dealing.

Land invasion and burgeoning informal settlements added strain on the already crumbling infrastructure, the residents said.

Pooh Govender, chairperson of the Shallcross Civic and Ratepayers Association (Scara), said this was once a pristine community to live in, but it had been poorly serviced by the municipality over the years.

He also blamed inactive ward councillors who “lacked hands-on leadership”, for the poor service delivery and neglect.

“When people were moved to Shallcross over 60 years ago, there were no amenities, petrol stations, community hall or shopping centres.

“Since the dawn of democracy, all that has changed. After 1994, people wanted to be politicians, not understanding that it meant they should serve and fight for the community. We have four ward councillors for the area, and none of them work with us. They do not come for meetings, or accept invitations to community events.

“Years later, we see the rot. People need to take ownership and cast their votes wisely in the upcoming local government elections. Shallcross should be reconstituted into a single ward instead of four so that we can have organic growth and one person who we could hold accountable.

“There are no recreational facilities for youth which has led to them going down the wrong path, leading to social ills, like drug addiction and crime,” Govender said.

Infrastructure damage