Marshalltown fire survivors demand services from Joburg metro
Following a meeting late on Wednesday, Marshalltown fire victims and the community of the Denver informal settlement have threatened mass action over poor service delivery.
More than 40 families were moved to a transitional site on an open ground near the Denver informal settlement, established by the City of Johannesburg in November last year.
Scores of people were displaced, and more than 70 people lost their lives when a fire ripped through the derelict Usindiso Building in the city centre in August last year.
The community has lamented the lack of electricity, ablution facilities, waste removal, and adequate access to water.
Last week, the poor drainage in the area resulted in flooding.
A woman who lives in one of the tin structures says as the city’s emergency services remain on high alert following adverse weather warnings, they live in constant fear.
“It’s not safe to live here. There’s a ditch here that has water. There are zama zamas. We survived the fire. Now the water is going to kill us.”
One of the meeting’s convenors and leader of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, Mametlwe Sebei, says the community has resolved to organise and elect a leadership that will head the charge to compel the city to provide adequate accommodation and service, as ordered by the courts.
“The community has resolved on the need of rolling mass action – which includes marches, protests, and occupations – which will culminate in the complete shutdown of the City of Johannesburg if the City does not address the most urgent and pressing needs in that informal settlement; for all its residents regardless of the background.
“If it [also] does not address the issues relating to justice for the victims of that fire in Albert Street, as well as upgrading buildings in the inner city and ensuring housing for all.”
READ MORE: Marshalltown fire victims moved ‘from one miserable place to another’ - GIWUSA
Meanwhile, speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, City Manager Floyd Brink said the metro is aware of the challenges affecting Denver residents, adding that the relevant officials and government entities were working to address them.
“City Power will be on site very soon, and at Joburg Water, we’ve ensured that we comply with the standpipes and the ratio within that area…
“These are some of the things that we are still attending to. We’re still highly committed to the area,” he said.
However, as the city has described the settlement as a temporary solution, Brink could not say how long the group would remain there.
ALSO READ:
