Dasappen Moodley, a resident of the Clare Estate Senior Citizens Association (Cesca) Old Age Home, and Krish Gounden, the chief executive of Cesca, outside the eThekwini Municipality’s Bisasar Road landfill site.
Image: Nadia Khan
Residents of Clare Estate express growing frustration over inadequate service delivery, highlighting critical infrastructure issues and calling for urgent municipal intervention ahead of the 2026 local government elections, writes NADIA KHAN.
WHILE the residents of Clare Estate have exhibited remarkable resilience amid ongoing service delivery challenges, they are growing increasingly frustrated with a lack of substantial improvements.
Kavir Boodoo, chairperson of the Clare Estate Ratepayers Association (Cera), said while there had been isolated interventions such as limited infrastructure repairs – these efforts fell short of what is required to ensure safe, functional and dignified living conditions for residents.
He said poor road infrastructure remained a significant concern.
“Several areas affected by past flood damage are yet to be fully rehabilitated, with incomplete repairs, deteriorating road surfaces, and unasphalted pavements continuing to pose serious safety risks. The lack of proper road markings and signage further exacerbates the danger for motorists and pedestrians.”
He said storm-water drainage issues persisted across parts of Clare Estate.
“This has resulted in water seepage and localised flooding, which not only damages infrastructure but also affects private properties. These are not new concerns, yet sustainable solutions have not been implemented.”
The quarry from which a toxic stench is being emitted.
Image: Supplied
Boodoo said public health and environmental concerns remained deeply troubling.
“The placement and poor management of sanitation facilities have already raised serious issues. However, these are compounded by ongoing illegal dumping within the quarry area, which continues unchecked.
“Of even greater concern is the continued operation of the eThekwini Municipality’s Bisasar Road landfill site, which was meant to have been closed, yet it is still reportedly accepting refuse. These conditions pose significant risks to public health, the environment, and the overall well-being of the community,” he said.
Boodoo added that residents were increasingly faced with inaccurate and exorbitant utility bills despite frequent service interruptions and outages.
“This has placed an unfair financial burden on consumers, many of whom are paying for services that are inconsistent or not delivered at all. Urgent intervention is required to address billing inaccuracies, improve transparency, and restore public trust in the system.”
Boodoo said despite these challenges, Cera remained committed to constructive engagement with the municipality.
“However, it is imperative that there is a marked improvement in accountability, response times, and the prioritisation of long-outstanding issues. We call on the relevant authorities to act decisively, and urgently address these concerns. Our community deserves reliable service delivery, safer infrastructure, and a better quality of life.”
A road has become a dumping ground.
Image: Nadia Khan
Lal Hiralal, 64, a resident of Clare Road and public relations officer for Cera, added that since 2023, they had worked effortlessly to improve the living conditions for residents.
“As part of our strategic plan, we focused on ensuring that our roads are well lit at night, even if it means driving around at 11pm. We also, with the financial support of residents, and from the pockets of Cera executive members, make sure the verges and bushes are cleaned. We try our best, but it makes us question what exactly are our rates being used for? We believe that if the municipality cannot give us the service delivery, let us use that same money we pay for rates to uplift our area.”
The potholes on Kennedy Road.
Image: Nadia Khan
Residents highlight environmental and infrastructure challenges
Dayalan Venkatas Chetty, 64, of O'Flaherty Road, said Clare Estate was once an elite area.
“Today, it is a completely different story. The municipality does nothing. If it weren’t for the ratepayers’ association, Clare Estate would probably be a jungle.”
Chetty said some of the issues were overgrown verges and bushes, and the constantly flowing sewer water on the roads.
“There are only certain things that the ratepayers association can do such as ensuring the grass is cut, but we cannot clear the manholes and drains. That is the responsibility of the municipality.
“We also seem to be facing such issues because of the growing population. We have a large informal settlement and student accommodation, but there is no maintenance or upgrades to the infrastructure, especially the sewage system, to handle this growth.”
Chetty said while he would vote, he hoped for someone who was a leader, to be their councillor.
“It should be someone who is going to be our voice, and make sure our complainants are heard and addressed. There is also a need for new leadership in the municipality to carry eThekwini forward.”
Sewage overflowing on a road.
Image: Nadia Khan
Krish Gounden, 64, a resident and chief executive of the Clare Estate Senior Citizens Association (Cesca), said there were many health concerns related to emissions from the quarry and the landfill site.
“Clare Estate is a very old area, with many senior residents. Sadly, they are exposed to the ongoing environmental issues, comprising their well-being. Currently, the air quality is contravening Sections 24 and 38 of our Constitution, which demands that we have access to a good environment. Instead residents must deal with the toxic smell emanating from the quarry. Every time there is dumping, the entire area has to deal with the stench of raw sewage. It is unacceptable.”
Gounden added that the Cesca Old Age Home was situated less than 100 metres from the landfill site.
“These are elderly people, many whose immune systems are compromised, who have to breathe in that toxic stench daily. What is frustrating is that we fought for the closure of the dump many years ago, and won. But over the years, it has reopened at certain times. Now, it is fully-operational. How can there be a dump so close to residents? It is an ongoing fight, and we are not willing to back down.”
Dasappen Moodley, 81, a resident of the Cesca Old Aged Home, said: “There are residents from ages 70 to 90 who all contributed in their various fields of employment, and now in their twilight years they want to be able to go outside on a beautiful sunny day or breezy afternoon.
“But when they do, they are hit with a toxic stench from the dump (landfill site), and have to scramble to get inside. We thought the days of us having to wear a mask were over after the Covid-19 pandemic, but this is even worse.”
Moodley said he would, however, still vote.
“ I think everyone should vote because if we don't, we are not going to be able to bring the change we want. Voters have the power to bring about change.”
Zain Ismail shows the damaged Elf Place which poses a safety risk.
Image: Nadia Khan
Zain Ismail, 34, of Kennedy Road, said they were no longer able to use the road due to its poor condition.
“We can no longer drive freely due to the potholes, which is a result of shoddy workmanship following repairs to burst pipes. Some residents use Elf Place, but that road is also in a poor condition. A few years ago, a part of the road collapsed after the heavy rains and it has not been repaired. The road used to be two-way, but now only one vehicle can use it. We just feel as if we are not getting any joy from the municipality.”
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