Today, the ActionSA City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Finance Focus Group visited the Orange Farm Revenue Centre, uncovering numerous operational and maintenance challenges that hinder the centre’s ability to serve the community effectively. The findings point to staff shortages, infrastructure neglect, and unresolved technical issues.
During the oversight visit, the group noted that the Orange Farm Revenue Centre currently operates without a cashier. Since the previous cashier left in February, the role has remained vacant, placing an increased burden on the single customer service representative who handles all requests independently. This lone staff member frequently faces network problems, as connectivity issues continue to disrupt operations, affecting the efficiency of services.
Adding to the operational difficulties, the centre lacks essential equipment such as computers and receipt printers, making it impossible to perform critical financial functions effectively. Consequently, the centre’s focus has largely shifted to handling ESP (Extended Social Package) and dustbin service requests, rather than revenue collection.
The centre’s low foot traffic reflects the limited scope of services provided. Moreover, the rollout of prepaid water systems in Orange Farm has diminished the need for water revenue collection at the centre, further reducing the number of residents visiting for financial transactions.
ActionSA’s inspection also revealed concerning structural and maintenance problems. The building shows signs of neglect, with a collapsing roof, peeling paint both inside and out, and deteriorating kitchen cupboards. Outside, the absence of a general maintenance worker has led to overgrown grass and untrimmed plants, detracting from the centre’s appearance and accessibility.
The findings emphasize a critical need for urgent staffing, technical resources, and building maintenance to restore the centre’s functionality and ensure residents have access to essential municipal services. As the CoJ Finance Focus Group has highlighted these issues, local residents hope the city will take swift action to address them and restore service quality at the Orange Farm Revenue Centre.
