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The residents of Diepkloof in Soweto are living in abject squalor as Premier Panyaza Lesufi continues to dodge responsibility for the redevelopment of this hostel and many others he claims are not the responsibility of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been demanding that the Premier address the appalling, inhumane, and unsanitary conditions in all of Gauteng's hostels. Despite this, the Premier continues to divert responsibility by stating that his government is only responsible for six hostels (George Goch, Denver, Jeppe, MBA, LTA Rethabile, and Murray and Roberts) that receive daily maintenance and environmental upkeep to make them habitable.

The Diepkloof Hostel is one of 65 hostels in Gauteng that urgently require remedial attention and repair as part of the Hostel Redevelopment Programme led by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development. It is unclear why he would want to shift all responsibility for improving hostel conditions to municipalities in Gauteng.

The Premier appears to have forgotten his promise to address hostel residents' inequalities and terrible living conditions. Frustrated and desperate residents in Diepkloof and elsewhere have become tired of waiting and are regretfully resorting to public violence and malicious damage to property to amplify their demands.

The Premier, by failing to ensure the conversion of existing hostels into family units and their absorption into their local communities, restricts social cohesion and unity.

Hostel residents cannot be allowed any longer to continue to live in such inhumane and terrible conditions. The new DA government will end indecision and mobilise all resources to guarantee that all levels of government collaborate to improve hostel living conditions and give hostel residents dignified housing.

Issued by Mervyn Cirota MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements