by Michele Clarke MPL – DA Constituency Head Benoni
Despite numerous attempts by the Democratic Alliance to pressure the ANC-led Gauteng government to improve the living conditions of Daveyton hostel residents, very little has been done.
During a DA oversight inspection to the hostel yesterday, conducted by the DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Mbulelo Bara MP, DA Constituency Head Benoni, Michele Clarke MPL and DA Ekurhuleni Councillors, we were shocked and disappointed to discover that only two blocks of the hostels have had the roofs replaced, and that the solar geysers installed are not working.
The geysers are leaking and residents claim that even though they have reported this, nothing has been done to fix them. This shoddy workmanship is totally unacceptable as the contractors have already been paid.
It is alleged that the City of Ekurhuleni is unable to trace the contractors as they have vanished leaving the work incomplete.
This raises questions about the tender system as well as the monitoring and evaluation of projects by government.
There is no proper maintenance at the hostels. The building structure is old and dilapidated. The ceilings are broken, the laundry area is dirty and there are no cleaners to clean the hostels which poses a health risk.
The DA in Ekurhuleni will be tabling a motion in council regarding the living conditions in the hostels. At provincial level, we will also be tabling a motion and submit questions. Our counterparts in Parliament will also submit a report about hostels to the Minister of Human Settlements requesting an urgent intervention in this matter.
Hostel residents deserve access to dignified housing and basic services which the ANC has failed to deliver for the past twenty-four years.
The DA will continue to put pressure on government to deliver proper services and housing to hostel residents.