PICS: Millions of rands later, infrastructure projects left to decay

Scores of Bekkersdal residents continue to live in shacks and unsanitary conditions as a housing project of more than 100 homes remains incomplete and unoccupied. The houses were built as part of the Borwa Urban Renewal Project, estimated to cost around R432 million. It has since been abandoned. Photo by Trevor Kunene

WEST Rand Local Municipality’s residents live under poor conditions despite the R432 million housing project.

Looters have been helping themselves to anything valuable from the deserted Borwa Urban Renewal Project - stealing windows and door frames. Photo by Trevor Kunene

Over 100 houses remain incomplete and unoccupied and have since been abandoned and vandalised. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

Lack of security has given criminals access to vandalise abandoned houses. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

Some residents are already illegally claiming to be owners of the unallocated houses built as part of the Borwa Urban Renewal Project in Bekkersdal. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

Poor maintenance and illegal electricity connections add to the challenges.

Fears of contracting infections have gripped residents living near a flowing sewage pipe burst. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

With gushing pipe bursts flooding the streets of Bekkersdal, residents find it a nightmare to cross the streets. Photo by Trevor Kunene

The people of Bekkersdal have repeatedly reported sewage pipe bursts to the municipality without any help for years. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

The Gauteng provincial government has invested heavily in delayed, incomplete, or abandoned projects, including the Randfontein Community Health Centre, which is still under construction after six years and R220 million spent.

It's a hard life for those living in Bekkersdal as they continue to live in shacks and unsanitary environments while millions of rands are wasted on unfinished projects. Photo by Trevor Kunene

Sewage busts are sure to give motorists a headache. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

Dusty roads where concrete tar eroded because of no maintenance is a nightmare for Bekkersdal residents. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

The R11 million Montrose Mega City Development stalled due to legal disputes among contractors. In Westonaria, unfinished infrastructure projects and unfulfilled government promises have left communities without hope for improvement.

Dusty and broken roads, sewage pipe bursts, illegal dumping, and the government's failure to collect refuse have exacerbated the situation for Westonaria residents.

The path leading to a much-needed multi-purpose centre in Bekkersdal is short, but the completion of the project looks like it will be longer than anticipated. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe

The multi-purpose centre is not operational, while the people of Bekkersdal long for recreational facilities. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe