Residents urged to take responsibility when it comes to their blocks
Housing officials hold talks with residents of the flats
Donovan Nobles, Gavin Dateling, Heidi Manuel, Aziza Kahn, and Bernice Smith all from the communities of Newclare, Westbury, and Waterval met with Acting Regional Head of Housing, Ewarts Malope and other officials; James Pailman, Sandra Mynhadt, and Barry Kleynhans along with Theresa van der Merwe at the Claremont Council Office on February 19.
Van der Merwe chaired the 45-minute-long meeting. The meeting was called to report to the regional head of housing what the issues and concerns of the residents at the flats are.
Each resident from the abovementioned areas spoke of issues relating to the flats. Some of the issues that were discussed were cracks in the walls and floors of the flats, broken staircases, water leaks into the units, entire block of flats sinking in and some moving away from the main structures, illegal dumping, hijacked units which are converted into drug smuggling spaces, rodents, sewage pipes which are leaking, the fact that the flats still have asbestos elements to it, fire hazards and lack of water in some blocks.
There were basically a number of issues highlighted to the council members. Nobles formed a booklet called ‘Living on a time bomb’ which highlights the crucial ‘neglect’ of flats by the council.
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After each resident reported their grievances, van der Merwe explained that residents should also take responsibility when it comes to their blocks. She suggested that residents have block committees and that each block should have a set of rules to promote safety and utmost care of the facility and this could aid with stopping the illegal dumping and even prevent illegal occupants from hijacking the units at the flats, it could also help to eliminate substance abuse in the communities.
Malope who is the acting regional head of housing was presented with the booklet created by Nobles. Malope had to sign as he received the booklet.
Malope said that he was going to go through the book and would hold meetings with the relevant entities and then will report back to the residents after two weeks with a possible way forward for everyone.
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