WATCH: Gaping hole filled with rubbish irks Booysens residents
The irate residents want to see the hole, full of waste next to their houses, closed.
Residents of Booysens informal settlement are up in arms because of a hole next to their shacks.
The irate residents want to see the hole, full of rubbish, closed.
Nokifefe Chiya, a resident who is affected by the hole, said she is terrified that one day her shack will fall in the hole.
“We as residents can’t close this hole because it is too big for us to close.
“Our houses are just next to this trench and strong winds can make our shacks fall inside it.
“Children, and even adults can get hurt especially at night because someone may trip and fall inside the hole,’’ said Chiya.
What frustrates residents more is the amount of smell stemming from the hole.
Residents claim the unbearable smell is the reason they are getting sick.
“When the rain pours it becomes a huge problem because the place gets flooded, putting children’s lives at risk.
“So, now all that is needed is to see the hole closed before people get hurt,” said Chiya.
Chiya said having rats, flies and mosquitoes around has now been part of their lives, thanks to the hole.
“The rats are always eating our food and my child can’t sleep properly because of the noise these rats make. It is insane.
“One time, I found them eating my child’s fingers while she was asleep, all of this is caused by the hole full of waste,’’ said the mother.
Residents made it clear to the COURIER that they are aware that the land they are in belongs to Prasa.
“We were told that we will be moved from this place but we are still waiting. If we can get a place somewhere then we can leave,’’ said Chiya.
Another resident, Busisiwe Mhlongo, said there’s a pipe which comes from the clinic nearby which spills wastewater and the smell after the spill is horrifying.
Councillor Mongameli Mnyameni said the residents of Booysens know very well that the place they are in belongs to an entity.
“But we try in most case to clean the area, even if they are there illegally.
“Also, residents themselves should talk and stop dumping waste anyhow.
“The matter wasn’t brought to my attention until now. I will try and conduct a clean-up campaign for some of my wards, including Booysens,” said Mnyameni.
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