Dignity has been restored to Gogo Christina Zama’s home, which was surrounded by clutter, various breeds of rodents and an awful smell.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) officials moved into the Zama family home on June 3, ready to clean up the rubbish that was scattered all over the yard.
The EMM’s spokesperson, Mr Themba Gadebe, said disappointment and hurt was visible on Ms Zama’s face as she watched officials removing what used to be her source of income. Piles of rotting garbage, plastic containers, tins, jars, containers, cushions, furniture, live and dead vegetation and disused electrical items. All the items were placed into a large, metal waste bin for disposal.
“Caring for our senior citizens is a priority for the municipality and we believe that this cleaning intervention will improve the Gogo’s health and well-being, as well as that of her family,” said Mr Gadebe.
“We will also provide her with the necessary social assistance, including food parcels, and will continue to monitor the state of cleanliness at the home.”
According to Ms Zama’s youngest daughter, Ms Mirriam Zama (35), her mother started collecting recyclable refuse material in 2010, and ever since then, the amount of rubbish at the house escalated to alarming levels.
“It is difficult to manage her, she is now addicted to picking up anything even if it is not recyclable,” said Ms Zama.
“Traces of whooping cough and contagious body rash are a great concern for neighbours, whose children play at Gogo Zama’s house.
“This house has caused so many feuds among us, as neighbours have complained about the pollution caused by the dirt and the health risk to our children. Today we are grateful for the intervention by the municipality,” said Ms Sara Msipha, who lives next door.
Gogo Zama has agreed to get professional help from the local authorities and she has also promised to abandon her hoarding habits.
