15 February 2010

The iNkatha Freedom Party says conditions in hostels make them not fit to be occupied by human beings. Hence, the party says, it understands why some hostel residents have adopted a stance to boycott rent-payments.  

Following a march by the hostel residents at the end of last month, a delegation of eThekwini leaders of the IFP decided to visit hostels so as to see for themselves if there was any truth in the grievances of hostel residents. Therefore three leaders visited some hostels within the eThekwini Municipality today where they saw for themselves terrible conditions in the hostels. Speaking at the end of the trip, Joshua Mazibuko, IFP Spokesperson said: 

"What we saw at the hostels made us understand why hostel residents have decided to boycott rent-payments.  

"Our program today began at Thokoza Women's Hostel where we were shown kitchens without stoves, or with broken stoves; toilets floors full of water; some rooms which have no beds and some with about 14 occupants.

At Dalton hostel toilets are blocked and you can see human waste floating; some toilets have no lights; one room is occupied by 16 people. At SJ Smith and uMlazi's Unit 'T' Hostel conditions are the similar to the other hostels. 

"Seriously, no human being should occupy such places. The failure of the eThekwini Municipality to attend to these problems - as reported by the residents we talked to - displays insensitivity of the worst order.  

"From here we will engage the Municipality on these issues and breathe down their necks until they do something." 

For Further Information:

Joshua Mazibuko  
Deputy Secretary: eThekwini IFP                      
072 927 0993