Mangolongolo residents are tired of government’s empty promises

The residents of Mangolongolo settlements in Denver have lost all hope.

About 200 shacks were burnt down to the ground when a fire broke out in the early hours of May 13 and it quickly spread through the informal settlement.

The EXPRESS reported on May 24 one resident alleged a woman, who had problems with her husband, started the fire.

Most of the residents who spoke to the EXPRESS are pleading for help especially with building materials.

Residents vowed not to vote in the upcoming election as they are fed up with poor living conditions and not enough access to water and toilets.

One resident, Ms Gogo Jane Mbokane (51) said, “The toilet that you see over there are full and we do not have toilets. We go to the bush whenever we need toilets.”

“We do not even have water. When we started living here there was only one tap for everyone who stays here so we built our own tap to make it easy for everyone.

“This government tell the media they have provided us with food and they say they came to see the damages. It is a lie. They stand outside because they think they are too clean to come in here. Once they arrive they call us and say come and get food parcels,” said Ms Mbokane who has been living at Mangolongolo for over four years.

Residents said they are not being provided with the assistance they need.

A resident who did not want to be named said her children’s clothes are all burnt and it is almost time for exams.

Her main worry is that her children will not be able to make it during the coming exams.

“It’s almost June now. My children have to write exams, how is it possible for my children to write and pass when all their books are burnt?” said the woman.

The EXPRESS requested comment from City of Joburg deputy director for media relations, Nthatisi Modingoane.

The EXPRESS sent a request for comment on May 26 and requested comment by May 27 at 9am.

At the time of going to press no comment had been received.