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The IFP's Spokesperson on Human Settlements, Mr KP Sithole MP, has described
the living conditions in hostels in Gauteng as, "Not even fit for pigs!"

Following a visit to the hostels of George Gosch, Mahala, GP, Denver,
Alexandra and Benoni, Sithole said he was shocked to see the dilapidated
condition of these hostels. "They are not just rundown and in a poor state
of disrepair," said Sithole, "They are patently unsafe, breeding grounds for
disease. Human beings should certainly not be living in them."

He explained that, "Water and waste flow from broken pipes that are left
unattended. There is no maintenance or repair work being done. The people
live like animals and remain at high risk for waterborne diseases."

The IFP will again call for urgent intervention.

"I am raising this in writing with the Chairperson of the Parliamentary
Portfolio Committee for Human Settlements, Ms Nomhle Dambuza, the Minister
of Human Settlements, Mr Tokyo Sexwale, the Premier of Gauteng, Mrs Nomvula
Mokonyane, the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Mr Mpho Parks
Tau, and the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mr Mondli Gungubele," said
Sithole, "Someone, somewhere needs to act."

Sithole concluded by saying that, "We are beyond crisis. The Department of
Human Settlements must prioritize the repair and renovation work of our
hostels in Gauteng. Task teams must be appointed to oversee such repair work
in order to ensure proper basic service delivery to the residents. This
Government has a responsibility to its citizens, which it is once again not
meeting. At some point, the people's tolerance will run out."