Residents lose hope
Gugulethu/Everest residents have lost the little hope that they had about being moved from their shacks to the developed area in Payneville Extension One any time soon.
The development that started a few years ago seems to be delayed every day.
Sam Modiba who was the spokesman for Ekurhuleni in September last year, said that the installation of toilets was complete and all that remained was to install cisterns on the last batch of toilets.
He commented that some of the toilet structures have, however, been vandalised and doors and windows need to be replaced in these cubicles.
Speaking on behalf of the metro about the new development in the area, Lebogang Ramashala said the installation of water and sewer networks and brickwork for the 1 115 toilets is complete.
She said the metro is currently testing the installed services before it can take over these services from the contractor.
She explained that it is anticipated that the next court date to discuss the granting of permission to allocate serviced stands to the qualifying beneficiaries will be on April 23 or 24.
Ramashala said vandalism and theft are still a major problem in that area. Patrick Mokoena (73), one of Gugulethu/Everest residents, said he lost hope of being moved from his shack, where he has lived for eight years, to the developed area.
“It has been years since we waited to be moved to a better place but instead of getting a better life, our lives become more miserable,” said a disappointed Mokoena.
