Benoni residents are expressing widespread frustration over persistent service delivery failures from the City of Ekurhuleni. The community faces ongoing challenges including prolonged power cuts, intermittent water supply, and the disruptive presence of illegal mining operations. Despite these struggles, the community is actively protesting, signing petitions, and exploring legal avenues to advocate for improved municipal services and greater accountability.
The Grind: When Lights Go Out and Taps Run Dry
Benoni is experiencing rapid development, but the city's infrastructure, including pipes, roads, and power lines, is struggling to keep pace. This property boom is placing significant strain on existing services. Residents frequently endure power outages lasting for days, not just hours. For example, in early 2026, areas such as Rynfield, Northmead, and Mackenzie Park experienced power interruptions for up to ten days. The financial impact on households, particularly due to spoiled groceries, is substantial.
Water Woes and Traffic Troubles
Water supply has also been a major concern. Some areas faced nearly 48 hours without water in February 2026. Rand Water conducted maintenance from July 17 to 19, 2026, affecting areas like Wattville, Actonville, Benoni CBD, and Mackenzie Park. The City of Ekurhuleni advised residents to store water, indicating that full restoration could take up to two weeks. Traffic infrastructure is another challenge, with traffic lights at six busy intersections in Benoni, particularly around Brentwood Park, being non-operational for almost a year as of July 2026. Faulty lights have contributed to approximately 60 fatal accidents in less than a year at intersections such as Atlas Road and Great North Road.
Zama Zamas: The Underground Threat
Illegal mining, locally known as 'zama zama' activities, poses a significant threat to Benoni. These operations cause severe health problems, environmental degradation, decreased property values, and increased crime rates. Inaish Chetty from the New Modder community reported that illegal miners stalk residents, leading to burglaries and forcing some to abandon their homes due to health risks. The constant noise from these illegal operations, even underground, is a persistent disturbance.
Illegal mining also impacts municipal infrastructure. Law enforcement operations have uncovered explosives and arrested suspected illegal miners. In May 2026, 62 suspected illegal miners were arrested, and 46 illegal structures were demolished near the N12/Albert Luthuli informal settlement. The City of Ekurhuleni's Energy Department has also had to disconnect illegal electricity connections to these settlements, further straining municipal resources. The danger associated with zama zama presence was highlighted by an incident last month where six people were killed at the N12 Etwatwa off-ramp in suspected taxi violence.
Benoni's Spirit: Community Fights Back
Benoni's community is demonstrating strong resilience and a commitment to fighting for improved conditions. Residents are actively signing petitions, with one concerning power and water outages gathering 800 signatures and another reaching 1,000. In April 2024, Actonville residents protested against blocked prepaid electricity meters, with some having been without power for years.
Legal actions are also underway. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg CBD instructed the City of Ekurhuleni to rebuild the N12/Albert Luthuli informal settlement after its demolition in May 2026, demonstrating the impact of collective community action. While Eskom has maintained a stable power system with no load shedding currently, load reduction remains a reality in provinces like Gauteng to prevent network overload, indicating that the quest for consistent power continues. The Gautrain is also expanding, with new routes planned for Soweto, Mamelodi, Springs, and Fourways, showcasing regional progress. Further updates on Gautrain services and local political news are available.
-- Originally published on PR Daddy (https://prdaddy.com).
