The Executive Mayor of Emfuleni, Councillor Assistance Mshudulu visited Kwa-Masiza hostel to announce appointment of a contractor to clean the sewer system at Kwa-Masiza on Friday, 21 November 2008. The Emfuleni Municipality has identified Kwa-Masiza as priority area for development. Currently Kwa-Masiza does not receive services such as electricity, refuse removal and the sewer system is dysfunctional. The living conditions for residents living in the area are unbearable and leave much to be desired. Residents living in the area are subjected to daily exposure to raw sewerage and sewer leakages, livestock that roam around the area all day long and complete darkness at night.

The reason the municipality was unable to intervene in the past in the area was that the place was privately owned. The Kwa-Masiza owners owe the Municipality over R25 million in service charges.

Emfuleni Executive Mayor, Clr. Sithole Assistance Mshudulu addressing residents of Kwa-Masiza Hostel

However, on Friday, 21 November 2008, the Mayor announced that steps would be taken to correct these deficiencies. Firstly, the contractor who was appointed on Friday would start work immediately. In the meantime the municipality would provide temporary toilet facilities and water supply whilst work on the sewer system is carried out. The municipality would also look at providing refuse removal and health services to alleviate plight of residents of Kwa-Masiza.

The Mayor also indicated that the municipality would not wait until Kwa-Masiza has been expropriated to provide services.

Furthermore, he indicated that the Municipality was in discussions with the Gauteng provincial government for the upgrading of Kwa-Masiza. All indications are that further work to upgrade Kwa-Masiza would start early next year.