Diepkloof Hostel dwellers go on a shutdown

Diepkloof Hostel residents embarked on a protest action in the early hours of March 18 on the M1/N1 highways and Chris Hani Road.

The aim of the protest was to put pressure on the Gauteng provincial government into fulfilling promises made in relation to addressing Human Settlement related issues.

Sbongiseni Khoza, one of the community leaders at the hostel spoke of how the situation has been deteriorating since 1994 and how the hostel has been forsaken since then.

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“The strike is about the rebuilding and fixing of the hostel houses that the Premier of Gauteng has long promised to deliver on but failed. The truth is these hostel houses are as good as dead, the shelters are leaking,” Khoza explained.

“We are grateful for the electricity and tap water because those things were not here before but the truth is that these hostel houses are slowly falling apart and such should be attended as promised.”

The shutdown was triggered by the living conditions at the hostel which residents label as inhumane. They cited dilapidated infrastructure and unhealthy living conditions due to lack of hygiene.

Khumbulani Shange, a resident at the hostel who has been staying there for 28 years spoke so poorly of the living conditions in the area.

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“I was born here and I can say that the living conditions here have not been getting any better but instead it becomes worse every day. These houses are falling apart and the toilets are so inhuman, I wish the issue of toilets can be attended to fast,” said Shange.

The protest action disrupted traffic on affected roads and law enforcement officers were on the scene throughout the morning to try and restore order.

One case of public violence was opened after a car belonging metro police was damaged but no arrests were made.

Human Settlement issues at the Diepkloof Hostel not only affects adults but they have also been a concern for children attending a crèche that is based in one of the shacks inside the hostel.

Noluthando Mafa, a teacher at Ekukhanyeni Day Care Centre said the living situation in the area is affecting the hygiene of the children.

“We are also unable to divide them since the other class infrastructure is not in a good condition,” Mafa said.