“We are a forgotten lot and fodder for political parties who only want our votes but do nothing to improve our condition.”
This was a cry from representatives of thousands of residents of Helen Joseph Hostel on 4th Avenue who live in abominable conditions as reported numerous times in the past by Alex News.
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Political parties are said to descend on the hostel at convenient times with promises to improve the conditions or relocate the residents from the crumbling five-storey structure unsuitable for human habitation but to no avail. In addition, the South African Human Rights Commission is said to be monitoring the situation and associated risk to lives of the poor female occupants.
Their representatives Sophie Monnamongwe, Letta Molongwane and Lydia Nyatlo said their rights to life, health, safety, security and privacy are compromised daily as political leaders, authorities in City Council allegedly watch and do nothing. They claimed there are now more children than rightful occupants in single shared rooms with some sharing with their teenage sons and also alleged that one of the boys raped his mother who has been hesitant to report to the police.
Read: DA commits to revamp Madala Hostel
Shacks have been constructed against the outer wall blocking their windows and leaking sewage even in corridors is a major disease outbreak waiting to happen.
They listed the following other problems:
- Lack of privacy and fear of boys who peep at them through the ceiling when they bath and use toilets. A boy allegedly fell through the ceiling onto a woman bathing
- Ceilings are broken by the boys often heard moving under the roof
- Insulted and intimidated by the boys who want to force them out claiming the place belongs to them
- A girl threatened with a knife and another impregnated allegedly by these boys
- Residents fear to remain alone in rooms with sons as roommates
- Poor security which allows boys in with friends from the outside who sleep over, smoke drugs, consume alcohol, make noise all night, knock on doors and steal from rooms
- Ridiculed by township residents told of their physical shapes by boys who spy on them
- Dysfunctional, leaking sewage, water and electrical services resulting in sewage in the courtyard, corridors, blocking entrances and dark corridors
- Unstable roof tanks on the verge of falling into rooms, leaking and destroying property
- Broken doors and windows used by criminals to enter the hostel, steal, rob and threaten residents
- Communal gas stoves dysfunctional for years, water taps wrapped in plastic to stop leaks and ceilings fitted without attending to the leaking roof
- Windows, lights broken by boys throwing bottles and playing soccer in corridors and kitchen
- Windows blocked from outside by shacks which pose a risk from occasional shack fires
- Neglected maintenance of the courtyard and playground.
The previous City administration promised to relocate the residents to no avail and current DA-led City administration committed to a budget for hostels’ development. The DA proportional representative councillor Shadrack Mkhonto said a huge budget has been allocated for use in the 2017/18 financial year. “We anticipate work to start this year after all planning is concluded.
Area councillor from the ANC Ambe Maseko said she will prioritise the matter at the next council meeting in February. “Officials need pressure to start the promised work.”
Details: Councillor Ambe Maseko 082 309 3861; Shadrack Mkhonto 079 444 1464
