The living conditions in the flats have been altogether a hazard and a risk for many residents in Westbury, Newclare, and Claremont. Gina Jones, a Wesselhof Flats resident in Claremont has raised her concerns for the building.
She counts water leakage along the sides of the building as a major concern and one which causes fear during the rainy season.
“I live in a pigsty now. I can’t cook and I don’t even open the window because the smell is horrible. We don’t know what is running here. When I was working I paid for the plumbers.
“There used to be a tree that they said was blocking the pipes. Now there are big birds that bring their plastics, people dump here and it’s really a health hazard,” said Jones.
During the rainy season, the ceiling collects water and creates a pool. Jones has had someone cut open the area where the water settled, now she has to deal with uninvited guests like birds, rats, worms, and cockroaches.
As it rains, water leaks from the side of the ceiling often damaging furniture and even going into the meter boxes which causes power outages.
Other issues which residents face are health issues such as allergies, flies because of the stench outside. Some residents don’t even have a ceiling. “I don’t have a bath or geyser.
They came to fix the ceiling twice, and every time they fix it, the leaks become worse,” said a neighbour.
Residents have reported the matter over the years but have not really received any help.
“The maintenance guy came to see the flat and said that they were waiting for funds. He called again and said that someone would come fix it but no one has been sent,” said Jones.
When councillor Susan Stewart was contacted for comment, she said, “The entire area of Claremont, Westbury, and Bosmont is in a state of degradation. A lot of these places are in need of a lot of work, there is a budget problem in the city.
“There’s a lot of talk about billing and the flats have been neglected over time and as a result, they need a large sum of money which the city does not have. The housing department takes long but there are talks about fixing the situation.”
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