Disgusting condition at hostel
The Kagiso hostel is home to more than 4 000 people, who have been asking for years for the hostels to be upgraded, but to no avail.
Up to six families share one hostel block, subdivided into six rooms – each room is home to an entire family.
Mogale City’s DA member of parliament, Anchen Dreyer recently visited the hostel and was shocked beyond belief.
“There is no running water and no toilets in these “hostel homes”.
“Residents use communal taps and ablution facilities away from the building. The toilets are in shocking condition. While there are skip waste bins for rubbish, they clearly are not serviced as the skips are overflowing and waste is strewn around it. Young children are playing in these unhygienic conditions, which clearly are a health risk,” says Dreyer.
“These shocking conditions were exposed during an oversight visit to the Kagiso hostel last week, as it is part of my responsibilities as a MP. The Kagiso hostel is home to more than 4 000 people, who have been asking for years for the hostels to be upgraded, but to no avail.
“The ANC ward councillor Kgomotso Mangole arrived at the scene and told me that I was not allowed there, because I ‘did not follow protocol’ as I should have contacted her prior to my visit.
“I pointed out that all public facilities are open to inspection by public representatives to see how the people’s money is spent. When she realised that her veiled threat to me that she could not be held responsible for the actions of residents, was ineffective, she left.
“I will not be intimidated by ineffectual public representatives who neglect their responsibility to residents, evident by the shocking conditions that hostel residents face every day.
“While the ANC clearly holds voters in contempt, the DA believes they deserve more caring and quality service delivery,” concludes Dreyer.
