I drive past Jerusalema just off Albertina Sisulu Road in Florida on a weekly basis. Each time, I notice its borders have extended.
The informal settlement is situated between Transnet/ Sasol transmission pipelines and is classified as “extremely vulnerable” according to “official documentation”. Is the community of Jerusalema aware that they are part of an unnatural disaster waiting to happen? Informal construction on and the cultivation of land near gas/ petrol transmission pipelines is not only exceptionally hazardous, but isn’t it also against Nersa regulations?
To add risk to a dangerous situation, Jerusalema is located on contaminated mining soil. Its residents are either too poor and desperate to care, or they’re simply not informed that they’re exceptionally prone to health problems caused by this toxic soil. As if good health is not already a curable disease in South Africa?
Due to the sensitive issue of land reform (EWC) in a country torn apart by injustices past and present, and the subsequent potential for civil unrest, authorities are either apathetic or diplomatically deferring the issue of relocating the residents of Jerusalema to land that is safe.
Then, there’s the verity of voter exploitation by populist political parties who have absolutely no qualms at inciting public violence if it supplements their insatiable lust for power.
Crime in the Florida police precinct has spiralled out of control. Anarchy reigns in Roodepoort. As if crime is not already legal in South Africa? Would the Police regularly release accurate crime statistics to refute this? I think not. Private security companies, however, have their own statistics and are smiling all the way to the bank.
The value of property in the vicinity of Jerusalema has plummeted to levels that makes sudden abandonment an option. Who wants to stay in Gehenna anyway?
