Bridge dwellers and filth raise eyebrows
This bridge, located at the boundaries of Wards 85, 89, 97 and 126, recently received attention after many of the surrounding residents raised complaints about hygiene and health issues with all four ward councillors.
Shelter remains a major problem that requires urgent attention from various sectors of government.
Roodepoort is one of many regions that ‘accommodate’ displaced people on vacant properties, in parks and greenbelts. These people are attracted to the area to seek job opportunities.
Some displaced persons have found themselves a new ‘home’ under the Christiaan de Wet and Hendrik Potgieter Roads bridge near Clearwater Mall.
This bridge, located at the boundaries of Wards 85, 89, 97 and 126, recently received attention after many of the surrounding residents raised complaints about hygiene and health issues with all four ward councillors, including Leah Knott and Sonja Meyer.
According to a DA Ward 97 Facebook page (original source), the Displaced Persons Unit (DPU) investigated the complaints and the findings were as follows:
1. Three males were found to be occupying the hot spot and are there every day, and the other two are only present on Sundays as they do piece jobs in the area.
2. Too much filth was discovered at the hot spots and the bridge is also being used as a toilet. Observation of the filth is that some of the people who used to stay there have moved – leaving only three people currently invading the space.
3. A single person who was found at the hot spot who was willing to be assisted has been placed at the 1 Dan Street shelter.
Sonja also highlighted that the two remaining men refused help and opted to remain on the streets.
When the Northsider visited the site, no displaced persons were present. The area was littered with waste material on both sides of the bridge. Also, the bridge pillars have smoke stains, indicating that the dwellers made fires to keep themselves warm during the night.
The post also contained the recommendation that due to the amount of waste found at the hot spot, Pikitup needs to be involved to remove it, as well as Environmental Health.
Sonja concluded by suggesting the visibility from JMPD to ensure that people do not continue sleeping under the bridge or streets.
This is a developing story.
