Silverton residents are demanding urgent intervention from the Tshwane metro to address the worsening conditions along Moreleta Street near the railway station.

Residents revealed that the area has steadily deteriorated over the past few years and has become one of the filthiest and most neglected spaces in Silverton.

According to residents, despite previous assurances from the metro that regular cleaning and maintenance operations are conducted in the area, conditions continue to worsen.

Residents said the area is plagued by illegal dumping, poor sanitation due to illegal squatting and damaged roads.

Concerns have also been raised about public safety, with residents claiming that makeshift structures regularly appear near the railway station and squatters making uncontrolled fires to cook and keep warm. Open drug use and other alleged criminal activities are also becoming increasingly visible.

Community activist Marietjie Deventer has criticised the metro for what she describes as “years of inaction, neglect and failure to enforce bylaws and maintain public spaces”.

Deventer has spent a week conducting clean-up campaigns through her NPO, The Sparkling Clean Silverton.

She said the metro cannot continue blaming budget constraints while residents are forced to live with worsening conditions.

“The city has allowed this space to deteriorate over a number of years. What was once simply an untidy area has now become an illegal dumping site and a place where squatters have settled,” she said.

She said residents have repeatedly reported concerns relating to waste, illegal occupation and safety issues, but little visible progress has been made.

“If the area was cleaned regularly and monitored properly, it would not have reached this point. Instead, residents are left dealing with piles of rubbish, poor sanitation and growing safety concerns while the situation continues to worsen,” said Deventer.

She added that urgent action is needed to restore the area and prevent further decline.

“Residents deserve clean, safe and well-maintained public spaces. Allowing this area to become a dumping ground and an unmanaged settlement sends the wrong message and negatively affects the entire community.”

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the metro is aware of the issues affecting the area around the corner of Moreleta and Plantation streets near the train station.

He said city social workers conducted assessments in the area on May 28 to better understand the circumstances of homeless individuals occupying the site.

“The outcome revealed that there are currently 12 homeless people residing in the area,” he said.

Mashigo explained that the squatters preferred to be relocated closer to the area.

“During the assessments by the city’s social workers, the homeless individuals expressed a preference to be relocated to shelters situated closer to the area they are currently occupying to continue accessing economic opportunities and informal work activities,” said Mashigo.

“However, most available homeless shelters are located within the inner city, which is far from the area preferred by the said individuals.”

He said social workers would continue engaging nearby non-profit organisations and other stakeholders to explore possible shelter placement options closer to Silverton.

Mashigo said according to the metro, the road is not in a severely deteriorated state.

“The road’s condition looks fairly good. The few potholes which could have been caused by leaks will be attended to,” he said.

He acknowledged that there are currently no immediate plans to rehabilitate or upgrade Moreleta Street and the surrounding public spaces.

“The city does not have immediate plans to rehabilitate and/or upgrade Moreleta Street, Silverton due to budget constraints,” Mashigo said.

He said social workers would continue monitoring the site and identifying individuals who require intervention.

“Homeless persons requiring accommodation will be assisted through partnerships with local non-profit organisations and the Gauteng Department of Social Development to facilitate placement in available shelters and access to relevant support programmes.”

Mashigo called on all residents to refrain from dumping waste on the street.

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