Frustrated residents of Reagile in Koster have accused the Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality of abandoning them, citing worsening service delivery failures, including uncollected waste and raw sewage spills.
Community members say illegal dumping sites are multiplying due to the lack of regular waste collection, while raw sewage flowing through streets has become a daily health hazard. Despite repeated complaints, they claim the municipality has failed to act, leaving them feeling neglected and unheard.
Municipality Denies Allegations
A municipal councillor from Kgetlengrivier disputed the residents’ claims, insisting that services were being delivered. The councillor also suggested that community members shared responsibility for illegal dumping, urging them to dispose of waste properly. However, the municipality claimed it was unaware of some issues, as they had not been formally reported.
Residents Speak Out
One longtime resident, who has lived in Reagile for 25 years, expressed deep frustration over the deteriorating conditions. She highlighted multiple challenges, including water shortages, poor road conditions, and inaccessible emergency services.
“Ambulances struggle to reach us because the roads are in such bad shape,” she said. “We’ve reported these issues for years—since 2021—but nothing changes.”
The community has escalated their grievances to various authorities, including the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), yet they feel their pleas continue to fall on deaf ears.
Ongoing Struggle
Residents say promises from the municipality have gone unfulfilled, with no tangible improvements. Their daily reality includes battling overflowing sewage, navigating hazardous roads, and living with the health risks of unmanaged waste.
As frustration mounts, the people of Reagile are demanding urgent intervention from both local and provincial government to address what they describe as a systemic failure in service delivery.