In a heartfelt demonstration, more than a hundred residents of municipal flats in Actonville, Benoni, took to the streets on June 11, 2025, demanding urgent action from the City of Ekurhuleni. These elderly residents, many of whom are pensioners, marched to the municipal offices, hoping to draw attention to the dire conditions of their homes. They called for better living conditions, rent adjustments, and the restoration of basic services that they claim have been neglected for years.
The Issues at Hand
The protesters, who have been living in the Actonville municipal flats for decades, expressed their frustrations with a range of unresolved issues. Chief among their grievances are high rental fees, lack of proper maintenance, and the removal or blockage of their electricity meters. Many residents have been left without electricity for extended periods of time, a situation made even more untenable by the cold winter weather.
One of the most pressing demands from the protesters is the transfer of ownership of these flats to the tenants. They pointed to similar cases in Johannesburg, where municipal flats were successfully handed over to residents. However, the City of Ekurhuleni, through spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, has confirmed that there are no current plans to transfer the flats to the residents, despite earlier promises made in February 2024.
The residents’ protest highlights a broader issue in South Africa’s housing system, where a growing number of individuals in low-income communities face similar challenges with their living conditions. In this case, pensioners, some of whom have resided in these flats for over 30 years, have reached a breaking point and are demanding action.
Life in the Flats: A Struggle for Dignity
The protest was not just about the physical state of the flats, but also the emotional toll that years of neglect and mistreatment by municipal officials have taken on the residents. The flats are described as being in a state of disrepair, with residents bearing the burden of repairs on their own. Anesh Ward, one of the protesters, shared that they had to fix everything themselves due to the municipality’s lack of action.
The municipal flats, originally intended to provide affordable housing for low-income citizens, have instead become symbols of neglect and abandonment. The residents, many of whom are elderly, live in challenging circumstances that make basic survival difficult. One of the key issues raised by the protestors is the blocking or removal of electricity meters. This measure is usually applied to tenants who have not paid rent, but the residents argue that they are not at fault, as they buy prepaid electricity from Eskom and should not have their meters tampered with.
Stories of Struggle: Personal Accounts
The protest provided a platform for several residents to share their personal struggles. Ramdew and Radha Ramluccan, a couple who live with a disabled child, shared the dire situation they face. They owe R50,000 in rent and have been without electricity for over four years. Their disabled daughter, who requires constant care, suffers greatly from the lack of electricity, especially in the cold winter months. Radha explained how the family relies on soup kitchens for food and struggles with basic daily activities due to the absence of electricity.
Rama Seetal, another pensioner, lamented the situation, stating that a large portion of his old age grant goes towards paying his rent of R1,900 per month. Despite paying his rent consistently, he faces severe neglect, with the municipality failing to address any of the maintenance issues. Seetal’s frustration is palpable, as he feels that his consistent payments should result in better treatment and improved living conditions.
Neemala Singh, who owes R20,000 in rent, shared her experience of trying to negotiate a payment arrangement with the municipality to restore her electricity. Unfortunately, her attempts were rejected, leaving her in the dark and without any options for resolving the situation.
Learn more: How to Report a Problem to the City of Ekurhuleni: A Step-by-Step Guide
A Call for Action
The residents have made it clear that they are no longer willing to tolerate the current situation. In their memorandum, which was handed over to John Lekgothoane of the municipality’s housing department, the protesters demanded that the municipality address their concerns in writing within seven working days. The residents are calling for urgent repairs to the flats, adjustments to the high rent, and a resolution to the electricity issues that have plagued their homes.
Despite their repeated attempts to engage with the municipality, the protesters feel abandoned and disrespected. They have had limited meetings with the housing department, and any follow-up discussions have been cancelled without explanation. The lack of communication and progress has led many of the residents to feel that their voices are not being heard.
The protesters have expressed a sense of hopelessness, claiming that they are being treated as if they do not matter. They feel that their needs are being ignored, and they are left to fend for themselves in increasingly difficult circumstances.
The Municipality’s Response
Following the protest, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini issued a statement in response to the residents’ demands. He clarified that while there were plans in the past to transfer the flats to the tenants, there are currently no such plans in place. He also suggested that residents should apply for rental adjustments and report any mistreatment by city officials to the appropriate channels.
While the municipality’s response is seen as dismissive by the residents, it does indicate that the issue of municipal flats in the area remains unresolved. The pensioners are now left wondering what their next steps will be and whether the City of Ekurhuleni will finally take action to address their concerns.
A Future of Uncertainty in Benoni
As the residents of Actonville await an official response to their memorandum, it is unclear what the future holds for them. Many of the pensioners have been waiting for improvements for years, and their patience has worn thin. The struggle for better living conditions and basic services is far from over, and the protest has highlighted the deep frustrations that have been building among the residents.
The City of Ekurhuleni’s continued inaction in addressing the needs of its most vulnerable citizens raises serious questions about the state of affordable housing in the region. It remains to be seen whether the municipality will make any real changes in response to the protest or if the pensioners will be forced to continue their fight for dignity and justice.
The protest in Benoni is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by low-income residents in South Africa’s municipal housing system. It is not just about the physical state of the flats; it is about the dignity of the people who live in them. The elderly residents of Actonville have waited long enough for change, and their voices are now impossible to ignore. The question is whether the municipality will listen, or if the pensioners will be forced to continue their battle for a better life.
Original Article Credit: Kimberly Mutandiro, GroundUp, June 12, 2025 – Read more here.
