Housing development in Ext 8, Standerton, is in shambles
Children can often be seen playing on these stairways, raising concerns that a child or elderly person could easily fall from a dangerous height.
Several residents illegally occupied unfinished flats in Ext 8 and have lived in dire conditions since 2020.
According to some residents, authorities forced them to move into these family units after being evicted from their homes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A walk through the Ext 8 community reveals numerous infrastructure and safety issues in the area.
Exposed electrical wires are strewn about to supply the houses with electricity. There is no running water in the flats, and trash litters the area because of a lack of waste collection.
According to information from Clr Deon Bekker, the land was designated for rural development in 2011. However, many flats remain incomplete and pose serious safety risks to residents.
“We have running water in our outhouses, and that is it. We have to walk elsewhere to fetch water,” explained a resident.
She added there was infrastructure for electricity, but it was not connected to the houses. As last resort the residents have laid their own wires to the units.
This remains a safety hazard, as the wires have corroded over time and could cause electrical shocks. Many flats are not completed, leaving open stairways and landings without guardrails.
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Children can often be seen playing on these stairways, raising concerns that a child or elderly person could easily fall from a dangerous height.
Inside some flats, walls and ceilings started to rot because of persistent water leaks. Incomplete flats lack roofing and in many cases, residents cover the exposed areas with corrugated iron sheets. In other instances, residents covered the roofs with tarps, which provided little protection against water damage.
The Lekwa Local Municipality (LLM) told the Standerton Advertiser the provincial Department of Human Settlements was developing the area.
Municipal spokesperson Lubabalo Mjenge stated on Friday a personal interview with the journalist is required. However, he has yet to set a date.
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