Rhodesfield Residents Question Timing of Repairs

What Happened?

Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a 38‑year‑old runner from Kempton Park, went missing on September 9 while jogging. Her body was found the following weekend and identified by her family on September 14. Her death shocked the neighbourhood and sparked an outpouring of grief.

Sudden Fixes Appear

In the days leading up to her funeral, municipal crews were seen working hard in Rhodesfield:

• Potholes on several roads were being patched.
• Outside Moselakgomo’s family home, workers cleaned the street and filled in gaps.
• Sewage problems that had lingered for months were addressed on Tuesday.
• Street‑light crews arrived to restore lighting that had been out since 2019.

Residents React

Many locals welcomed the repairs but wondered why the same urgency wasn’t shown before.

Tim Marshall’s View

Tim, a longtime Rhodesfield resident, said:

“We’ve had issues with this road for years. The lights have been out since 2019, and we’ve been paying out of pocket to replace stolen copper cables. Seeing the crews now feels good, but it hurts that it took a tragedy to get action.”

Anonymous Resident’s Concern

Another neighbour, who asked to stay unnamed, called the work a “show‑off” project:

“After the funeral everything will go back to the way it was—no lights, bad roads, and no real security.”

Voices from the Community

Liliwe Mlilwana, Community Leader

Liliwe criticised the ward’s councillor for not holding regular meetings and for neglecting Rhodesfield, Cresslawn, and areas near the Kempton Park CBD. She said residents had to rely on the City of Ekurhuleni’s online reporting system to get any response.

Response from Ekurhuleni

After residents contacted the Transport MMC on Tuesday, municipal departments arrived to fix potholes, restore street lights, and tackle drainage issues. Liliwe noted the quick response but stressed that it should not be a one‑off effort.

Looking Ahead

Residents agree that the neighbourhood needs lasting improvements:

• Regular maintenance of roads and street lights.
• A reliable plan to stop cable theft and secure electricity supply.
• Consistent community meetings where leaders hear concerns and act on them.
• Ongoing sewage and drainage upkeep to prevent health hazards.

They hope the momentum generated by Moselakgomo’s funeral will translate into steady, long‑term service delivery—not just a temporary fix before a sad goodbye.

Conclusion

The sudden surge of repairs in Rhodesfield highlights a frustrating pattern: problems are ignored until a crisis forces action. While the community appreciates the immediate help, they are calling for sustained attention and genuine engagement from local officials. Only then can Rhodesfield become a safer, cleaner place to live—every day, not just when tragedy strikes.