These past days I have spent going through the many documents Ellen Chauke has provided me with. I am also in possession of a Wits students post grad paper which has a section dealing with the people of Silver Town.
I am shocked to read that the local government had to be forced by the courts to find an alternative home for the people living in Silver Town. They believed that these people were not their problem because they were on private property and this was a "private matter".
What a load of crap. The Alexandra Renewal Project is a government initiative and that piece of land was to be used to build a mall that would enhance the township.
I still have to understand where is the logic in building a mall for a community that does not have basic services such as a decent home.
Anyway fast ward to 2009...these people are living in shacks that the local government provided until they provide them with homes. This temporary plan has turned out to be more permanent than the community would have liked.
My last visit to Silver Town I saw pigs. Apparently these pigs that live off the communities sewerage sometimes raid the camp and eat of the small vegetable gardens that some residences started. I wonder if any of the people heading the Alexandra renewal project would live here...I really do not think so.
I tried getting a hold of them but the numbers I have are always busy, so tomorrow I am just going to raid the offices. I want to know what are they planning to do with these people and when? It is unfortunate that as they try and make Alex look better they are allowing people to live like pigs in the process.
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