ActionSA, Booysens informal settlement residents march for poor service delivery

It is believed around 300 people were displaced, but the City of Joburg took an initiative to house 32 women and children in this temporary shelter after losing everything to the fire.

ActionSA candidate Sello Mabelebele, who is running for councillor for Ward 124, said the living conditions at the hall are not desirable.

“The pandemic worsens it. They share one toilet and one kitchen with a one-plate stove. One can imagine the discomfort they face every time they have to bath and cook.

“There is also an issue of security amid everything, as we have seen that both door locks of the hall are broken and anybody can gain access into the facility with ease. This was proven earlier this year when two males broke the door open and robbed the women of their cellphones, cash and other valuable goods,” said Mabelebele.

He said the conditions these women are facing subject them to all atrocities of sexual violence because the worst could have happened on the day the place was broken into.

“While we understand that the City may not be able to attend to everyone’s problem instantly, we believe provisions can be made for these women while the City seeks permanent solutions,” Mabelebele said.

He told the CHRONICLE the City of Joburg has facilities like Ikhaya le Themba that house women and they believe the City can grant these women and children the dignity they deserve as citizens as described in Section 26 of the Constitution.

“The protest held comes after efforts of trying to resolve the matter with councillor Mongameli Mnyameni proved futile. This is the reason we have embarked on a protest to get the attention of City of Joburg to attend to this matter swiftly.”

The memorandum was handed over to M Myeki by Mabelebele; they hope they get sound feedback timeously.

“We want to make it clear to the City that we will not just sit back but follow up thoroughly till something is done,” said Mabelebele.