Rubbish and bad smells are making life in Booysens Informal Settlement unbearable
Mpoko told the COURIER there are no bins or plastic bags available in the settlement to manage their waste.
JACOB Mpoko, one of the community leaders of Booysens Informal Settlement, took COURIER on tour following a number of complaints from residents regarding the filth in the settlement.
Mpoko told the COURIER there are no bins or plastic bags available in the settlement to manage their waste. He further stated the rubbish and bad smell creates health hazards. Due to these conditions in the settlement, rats are also a concern to residents as they breed and flourish in these circumstances.
“We have children here and living in these conditions is not appropriate. I know this land belongs to Metrorail, but someone must intervene in helping residents manage rubbish. Some elderly people are sick and conditions like these put their health even more at risk,” said Mpoko.
Another factor which is a nuisance is the smell of the mobile toilets. Mpoko said the smell of urine is unbearable. “Residents can’t even enjoy a proper meal without detecting the smell,” he said.
One of the residents said: “This matter of rubbish is a serious concern. Some people dump their waste in front of other people’s doorsteps. Children’s lives will always be at risk if someone does not come to our aid.”
Ward 124 councillor Mongameli Mnyameni told the COURIER problems in the settlement have been escalated to the MMC.
“My duties as ward councillor are to escalate all issues of the community. Some residents expect me to clean the place myself. I have addressed all these issues with the relevant departments, the MMC and officials,” said Mnyameni.
The City of Johannesburg was contacted for comment via email, but no response was received at the time of going to print.
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