We've never even seen our councillor: Soweto hostel dwellers

28 July 2016 - 20:34 By S'duduzo Dludla

The stench of stagnant water and rubbish that has not been collected in weeks fills the air as you enter the Umzimhlophe hostel in Meadowlands‚ Soweto.To the residents‚ the smell is a part of their daily lives. They also have come to accept the muggers who have taken up residence in unoccupied dwellings nearby. Prudence Siwelela‚ 61‚ said she has been living in the Kliptown hostel for 40 years and she cannot remember a time when the aroma of filthy water did not fill the air. "We fear for our lives when we walk the streets because the nearby hostels that we were meant to move into have been taken over by criminals who terrorise us and steal our things‚" Siwelela said‚ taking advantage of an Inkatha Freedom Party pre-election visit to the area to voice her concerns.  "The water pipes are old and leak grey water and sewage into the streets. Tell me... is it right that any human being live like this?" Siwelela and others from her neighbourhood say they have never seen their councillor‚ and they feel their grievances are not being taken seriously."We go on for weeks without our refuse being cleared because we don't pay rates. But when they wanted our votes they promised us the world. I for one have never seen our ward councillor. I couldn't even point him out if he was in front of me‚" Siwelela said.Another resident‚ who refused to give her name‚ said she had been living in the area for the last 20 years. "I live with a sick grandchild and the faeces that litter the outside of my house are making her situation worse. We don't have proper toilets‚ so faeces are everywhere. The water and electricity comes and goes‚ we sometimes have to prepare food outside with wood fires whilst putting up with the smell of dirty water and faeces‚" she said...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.