Misery again for Setswetla residents
ALEXANDRA - Rain is a welcome respite that cools the hot summer days and dampens the ground for crops and anticipated harvest for food security.
Rain is a welcome respite that cools the hot summer days and dampens the ground for crops and the anticipated harvest for food security.
This is not to be for Setswetla residents whose homes are perched along the Jukskei River.
The river roared again last week, heralding the onset of the rainy season and in the process, washed away the filth that had accumulated in it during the year. Its roar will have been a relief for community development workers and other environmentalists worried by the level of the river’s pollution from illegal dumping, effluent and household garbage washed in from the homes and shacks through storm water and underground drains.
The filth may be diluted as it flows, but parts of it are deposited downstream posing health and environmental dangers to other Gauteng residents.
For the Setswetla residents, the river’s roar rekindled their annual misery, fear and worry. With the anticipation of a good rainy season, they worry that they may die as their homes and property can be washed away. They say they live with this worry every rainy season because of the housing shortage.
A resident who identified herself only as Annah, said the worry is more for the safety of children who play along the river bank which is slippery and they may slide into the river when it is in flood. Another is for residents who cross anywhere and don’t use the pedestrian or vehicle bridges. She said many people can’t swim to save themselves or to help others who may fall in when the river is in flood. Others are said to want to venture into the river when drunk.
The Emergency Management Services and Disaster Management of the city continue to monitor the Jukskei and other rivers to ensure the safety of residents who are in a similar position. Last year some Setswetla residents on the river bank were lucky to be relocated to a temporary shelter at the Gift of the Givers village in Marlboro. This, pending government’s commitment to provide accommodation to many – including those who have been in other transit camps for years.
With the housing challenge continuing and more rains and the roar of the Jukskei expected, Setswetla residents will have to again live in fear and spend sleepless night whenever clouds gather over Gauteng.
