Westdene’s 10A resident shares the realities of the building from within

WESTDENE – The property is infamously known as 10A in Westdene is once again under fire after the residents association in the area appealed for the resolution to ongoing issues.

Residents that live around the controversial property have had enough, believing that the inhabitants of 10A are a bad element in the community. They are fed up about the state of the building which has no running water or electricity. Residents further claim that criminals in the area use the place as a hideout spot. There have also been fires in the building, and residents state that scenes of alcohol and substance abuse greet people passing by on a daily basis. For years residents have attempted to resolve the matter but many are beginning to feel that they are losing this battle.

A resident of the controversial building has shared his experiences of living there in an exclusive interview with Northcliff Melville Times.

Surrounding residents know that the building has no water or electricity but they do not know what the people living there go through. Fortunately, one resident that is willing to share the tales of 10A from within.

Frank* has been living at 10A for the last two years and is shocked at the standard of living there. Frank described the living conditions at the infamous building. He said, “There are about 60 rooms there and it’s dark and dirty in all of them. Even during the day its pitch black in there and it’s so dirty. There are rats running all over the place.”

Frank also shared how the over 200 residents at 10A use the toilet. “Since there’s no water, we pee outside and in buckets, throw it into plastic bags and throw it into the bin.”

There is evidence of this as when you walk into 10A as the foul stench of urine greets you.

In Frank’s two years there, he said that he has seen rampant drug usage and dealing. “Obviously they try to hide it but you see random cars coming throughout the night, stopping out by the road for a minute then they speed off.”

He also claimed that at any time in the day, you can find people high, sitting in random places in the property. He said that it is worrying because there are children living there and it is a health hazard for them. “This, along with the criminals that hide out in the building after stealing from people around them, and prostitution, are some of the horrors the people living here are now accustomed to,” he said.

When asked why he still lives there, he said it’s because his options are extremely limited. “I don’t live there because I enjoy it, I live there because I can’t afford to live anywhere else. I’m here because it’s close to where I work. I hate it but I have no choice.”

Ward 69 councillor Genevieve Sherman was contacted to find out what the City of Johannesburg plans to do to resolve the matter. She referred the issue to the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services Ntombi Khumalo. At the time of going to print, she had not responded but an update on this story will be made once she responds.

*Frank is a fake name given to the person to hide their true identity due to the threat of risking their safety.

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