eThekwini Mayor, Councillor James Nxumalo recently announced that R4.7 million has been set aside for electricity installation in 1500 households at eMhlabeni informal settlement in Ward 88 at uMlazi.

Nxumalo met with community members on Monday after a protest that took place in the area last week.

The protest resulted in traffic disruptions after burning tyres were placed on the Mangosuthu Highway.

The residents raised issues including lack of electricity, proper sanitation, low-cost houses and road infrastructure.

Nxumalo said there has been major development in uMlazi but more still needed to be done to develop the area of eMhlabeni.

“We are here today to assure you that like other parts of eThekwini and uMlazi you will also get houses, road infrastructure, and proper playing fields.”

He said the installation of electricity in eMhlabeni which will cost about R4.7 million would start next week.

“About 1500 families are going to benefit from this project. The electricity will be installed for free.”

The free electricity installation is in line with the City’s Executive Committee decision to waive the deposit for electricity connected to an informal dwelling. The resolution came into effect three month ago.

Electrification of informal settlements is a Municipal wide programme to provide interim services including water and sanitation, this programme is currently being rolled out to different informal settlements in eThekwini.

Nxumalo said a feasibility study had already been completed by the City’s Human Settlement Unit.

“All that we need to do is to submit our proposal to the Provincial Department of Human Settlement.”

Nxumalo cautioned resident that there were still a number of stages that needed to be passed. “If we get allocated a budget for the project of eMhlabeni in the 2016/2017 financial year by the Provincial Government we still need to advertise for that tender which will also take time before houses are built.

“For those issues that cannot be dealt with immediately there are interim services that will ensure that residents’ basic need are fulfilled in the short term while waiting for long term solutions,” said Nxumalo.