Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has expressed shock at the living conditions of the Diepkloof hostel dwellers. He visited the dilapidated hostel on this morning after violent protests

CHANGE IN THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR

Gwamanda said the City of Joburg has requested contractors to speed up electrical installations at the Diepkloof hostel. He promised the residents change as soon as the new financial year starts in July. "With the growing cases of disaster happening in South Africa and Johannesburg in particular, the structures are caving in and I have come to realise that even the basic services our communities are entitled to are non-existent," he said. He added that he felt ashamed that the residents had to protest before their cries could be heard. "We are here to respond to the needs of our people and we are here to respond with dignity. We have engaged with the leadership of the Diepkloof hostel to agree with the first phase of the response and focus on the most important aspects of their daily lived experiences," he said.

THE CITY TAKES HOSTELS SERIOUSLY 

He said urgent matters such as the housing backlog and refurbishments of hostels will be made a priority. He said, however, this was a discussion that needed to be undertaken on an intergovernmental level. "Some of the services required here are not within the ambit of the city to respond to. This will not only be towards the Diepkloof hostel but the refurbishment of other hostels around the city. A budget in excess of R120m for refurbishment will be made available. The current administration must make sure we reiterate the priority of our people’s services in the manner in which they are entitled to with dignity," he said