Springbok residents pleading for better services
Residents say they have been living at the camp for 16 years but their lives haven’t improved for the better.
WATER tanks and mobile toilets are not satisfactory for residents of Springbok squatter camp in Moffatview and they demand more services.
Residents say they have been living at the camp for 16 years but their lives haven’t improved for the better. The only services that have been granted to them are water tanks and mobile toilets. Residents demand proper sanitation, electricity and housing.
One of the residents, Thembise Sonie Mabele, told COURIER if services are not given to them because the land that they occupy isn’t used for housing, they should be moved to somewhere else.
“We and our children are living in filthy conditions. Most of us here in the camp are South African citizens. All that we want is to be cared for. Next year is elections and how can we vote if there is no change in our lives,” said Mabele.
Residents say that once in a while Ward 57 Councillor Faeeza Chame comes and donates food parcels to every household in the camp. But residents want standard services and claim they have engaged with Chame about their demands but she hasn’t returned with a response.One resident said: “Even if we can be moved to another place where sanitation and electricity are installed it would be fine. We are a good community. We never go on protest like other communities so if we can be granted what we need it would be great. Some of us live here because we don’t have jobs but if we can get jobs maybe we can buy ourselves houses.”
Chame said as a councillor she can’t get involved in civil matters because its private property that residents currently occupy. “My concern is for residents that have been living there for years,” said Chame.
The COURIER contacted the mayor’s office via email and phone but we haven’t received any response yet.
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