Life is bleak at Farm Abrams

Living conditions for the folk at Farm Abrams in Kelso have not improved over the past several years, despite promises made to the residents of the informal settlement, some of whom have lived there for as long as 20 years.

The settlement reportedly receives minimal assistance from Umdoni Municipality.

Children are being raised under appalling conditions, and many residents are unemployed.

“The community has become the subject of political patronage in the form of Expanded Public Works Programme and government contract jobs, constantly under implied threat that they will only be considered if they show the right allegiance,” claims ward councillor, Edwin Baptie. “Citizens from other wards are brought into the ward to work on municipal and sector department projects, to ensure this point is well understood.”

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Five years on and still no homes for Masinenge community

Cllr Baptie has submitted reports to Umdoni about the matter and has requested that a temporary soccer field be built and road improvements done. With no response received, Cllr Baptie took the initiative to improve the roads last year, for which the residents expressed their gratitude.

Since 2004, there has been communication between the landlord and the municipality regarding rezoning, subdivision and /or development, including homes for resident families.

In 2013, Umdoni Council resolved to purchase the site and provisionally approved the sub-divisional layout. It also resolved to pursue project execution with funding from Human Settlements and/or others. The following year, Human Settlements commissioned a feasibility study which recommended implementation. The landowner paid the bulk water and sanitation deposit but later reclaimed it for non-performance by the district municipality.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Power theft puts lives at risk

Last year, the proposed valuation had still not taken place despite several references. According to Cllr Baptie. the mayor informed council that his engagements with the minister had revealed that no land would be purchased for housing projects for the foreseeable future, because the department did not have funds.

One of the more serious issues in this area is the illegal electricity connections. “I have taken Eskom planning officials to the site and requested installation of prepaid systems to mitigate the serious risks associated with the illegal connections, and despite their undertakings, they have never returned.”

If home gardens were also facilitated in the area, this could greatly improve the standard of living. The Department of Agriculture was to have helped initiate this, but nothing has reportedly been done.

Adding to the plethora of problems is the number of dogs in the settlement. If these animals a don’t receive proper care and medical treatment, there is the risk of them picking up diseases which could in turn affect the human population.

“There are several local non-profit organisations and a church that do as much as they can to bring relief and assistance to the community, but it is a difficult task,” said Cllr Baptie.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Umdoni Municipality strives to improve services

Sifiso Zulu has been living at Farm Abrams since 2002 and said that although he is thankful to everyone who helps the residents, they still need ‘so much’ from higher authorities to improve their standard of living.

“Substance abuse has become a problem and the allure of shack income is encouraging some to act in defiance of the law, causing unrest within the community,” said Cllr Baptie.

He feels as though empty promises are being made by authorities in terms of intervention for improvement so he said he would work with the residents, community members and even the landlord who is still trying to help those living at Farm Abrams.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram