Windsor overcrowding ‘shocking’

Windsor East and West are facing a problem that could have hazardous consequences for its residents and tenants – overcrowding.

This according to newly elected Ward 98 councillor, Beverley Weweje, who came to the realisation recently during a joint operation by several municipal departments organised by the area’s urban inspector.

“The overcrowding is shocking. Some garages have been converted into residential spaces but without sewerage systems, leaving the sewage to run into the road,” she said.

Weweje said the City of Johannesburg’s bylaws should be implemented more strictly in Windsor West and especially East.

Weweje recalled the bylaws pertaining to the issue, saying that a maximum of six people can live in a three-bedroom house, including children. And in a two-bedroom house, a maximum of four. The infrastructure has been built to accommodate these numbers and overcrowding has led to multiple infrastructure issues.

“Windsor East and West’s infrastructure is placed under immense pressure, leading to the number of sewerage and water pipe bursts.” She added that the fact that the pipes are merely ‘patched-up’ will also need looking at.

“During the operation, Metro police issued numerous citations to tenants about overcrowding that could lead to health and safety issues. But I believe these citations should be given to the landlords instead. It is difficult to track them down,” she said.

The councillor said even though she might not be very popular afterwards, she plans to have more of the operations conducted to tackle the overcrowding.

“The deterioration of the area has been slow and gradual. In a year’s time I want to see a remarkable change in my community,” she said.

Details: Beverley Weweje on 074 882 3014.