Lacey Road settlement conditions inhumane, says councillor

THE condition of the Lacey Road informal settlement in Sydenham has shocked new ward councillor, Christopher Pappas.

Pappas did an oversight visit to the informal settlement last week, and said more thorough investigation is needed into what is to be done at the settlement.

“The people cannot be expected to live in such conditions. While I understand the difficulties with informal settlements, the state of affairs at Lacey Road is unacceptable and inhumane. I am shocked!” he said.

Pappas contacted the municipality to report on what he saw, and said he wanted answers on what would be done, so he could report back to the community.

“I have asked why sewage is left to flow from the top of the settlement through to the bottom and out into storm water drains, and when the existing toilets will be repaired and the health and safety issue sorted out,” he said.

Pappas queried when the local labour for the new toilet facilities at the informal settlement was sourced and whether the ward councillor was informed, as well as when new toilet facilities will be made available to residents.

“I also want to know what the possibilities of installing solar geysers on the new and existing facilities are, as people are using cold water. The existing stand pipes need to be maintained and made safe to use, in terms of physical accessibility as well as from a health and safety point of view. They are surrounded by mud and dirty water. The municipality needs to place concrete foundations around the standpipes to make a safe place to get water from and to create pipes to channel waste water away,” he said.