Madala hostel residents in Alexandra call for immediate repair of building’s sewerage system
One of the chiefs at this hostel, Sipho Mwelase, said this was the oldest hostel in Johannesburg and was in urgent need of repairs.
The Madala hostel in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Residents at the Madala hostel in Alexandra are calling for the immediate repair of the building’s sewerage system.
Many here report faeces trickling into their homes because of the blocked drains.
This is while the Department of Human Settlements in Johannesburg has said it needs R10 billion to revitalise all hostels in the city.
The smell of human waste wafts in the courtyard, corridors and inside the units at Madala hostel.
This is reportedly a result of a broken sewage pipe and blocked drains.
Some residents say the situation becomes even worse when it rains because contaminated water seeps in through the cracks in the walls.
One of the chiefs at this hostel, Sipho Mwelase, said this was the oldest hostel in Johannesburg and was in urgent need of repairs.
"Everything at the hostel is broken. There are no drains, the sewage pipes and storm water, the entire hostel needs fixing."
He said that no officials had come in recent times to do any repair work.