Transit camp squalor causes a stink
THE living conditions of the tent-dwellers at the Dayal Road sports grounds in Clairwood, who were moved into a transit camp nine months ago, seem to have improved little, with ablution facilities far from sanitary.
The camp, which was tenanted on 22 December, 2012 housed about 43 families, with the promise of a temporary abode until more permanent homes could be developed and assigned. However, it seems the ablution facilities were never properly set up, allowing the sewerage to run only a few metres underground before collecting and seeping back to the surface.
“Even if the people living in this camp are only there temporarily, they should have been given proper, sanitary facilities. How can we expect people to live among this filth? The stench is unbelievable and it is a serious health hazard, especially with youngsters playing nearby,” said Bluff Ratepayers Association chairman, Ivor Aylward.
The ablution block built in December has been removed and municipal workers were seen on site last week clearing the land. It appears as if new facilities will be connected to the existing sewer system.
Municipality spokesman, Thabo Mofokeng was asked why the ablution facilities were not properly set up and why it had taken so long to act when problems arose, but no answer was forthcoming. Questions about how long the transit camp will remain in place before people are housed permanently also went unanswered.
