WHILE Mzansi celebrates 30 years of Human Rights since the dawn of democracy, for some residents the day is an insult to their ongoing struggles.
In terms of the Bill of Rights, which is the cornerstone of South Africa's democracy, every person has a basic human right such as equality before the law and equal protection and benefit of the law, freedom from unfair discrimination, the right to life, the right to human dignity, right to freedom and security of the person.
But for residents of Denver, an informal settlement in Joburg central, these rights are just myths.
False promises
They believe they have been subjected to inhuman treatment by the same government who has been echoing the same rights for the past 30 years.
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Some of the residents, who reside in the informal settlement, are victims who were left homeless following a deadly fire that engulfed Usindiso Building on 30 August 2023, killing 77 people and injured 60 more.
The Usindiso building was once a shelter for abused women and children and was later abandoned by the ministries only for it to be hijacked to house over 100 shelters inside.
Daily Sun spent the day with the residents who spoke about the pain and despair of how the past five months have made them feel like sub-humans in their own country.
Residents speak out
One of the residents, Thobile Bhengu (41) said they have been taken back to the dark days of apartheid by the very same people who have fought for democracy.
“These leaders have suppressed us to the worst treatment. We're unemployed. They visited this very same place before moving us here and saw that it was not habitable, yet they placed us here," Thobile said.
“Water keeps flooding our shacks and there are illegal mining activities happening right under neath us. Honestly, we have not seen this democracy they speak of.”
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Thobile said the houses they have been promised are yet to be delivered. She said children have been subjected to bad conditions. Some don't attend school, while others have finished school but are stuck in Denver with nothing to do.
“I don’t know why they treat blacks like this. They are the same people who come to us for votes. How do we vote when we've been cast out like this. We're in hell here with our kids ducking bullets,” she said.
Another woman, Mbali Khumalo, said she has been a resident at the Usindiso building in the Joburg inner-city before it caught fire, leaving her to live in the streets for almost a month.
She was later moved to a shelter, and finally to Denver Informal Settlement in December.
While there are health facilities nearby, Mbali still feels neglected by the municipality.
She added that being moved from the inner city she no longer gets food.
“We worked when we were in Joburg. Either as maids or street vendors. Here there are no job opportunities. We're stuck with nowhere else to go."
She said Human Rights Day is like any other day as the government has stripped them off their rights and dignity.
Another resident, Tsholofelo Mgoko shared the same sentiments. She said her life has turned into a hustler’s game.
“When you have a R100 it’s like you have R10. There's no life here. The government doesn't care about us,” she said.
Commission of inquiry
Meanwhile, the commission of inquiry into the Usindiso Building fire is currently underway in Parktown, Joburg.
It was established last year in September by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to investigate circumstances that led to the deadly fire and the prevalence of leasing hijacked buildings in the Joburg CBD.
Secondly, to focus on the recommendations, based on the commission's findings, and who must be held liable for the fire and the deaths that emanated from it. Investigations are expected to conclude by 31 March 2024.
To date, the commission saw victims testify on the horrific living conditions and how it became a hideout for criminals and the landlord who demanded rent every month.
MMC for Public Safety in the City of Joburg, councillor Dr Mgcini Tshwaku said the city needs to provide alternative housing for those living in hijacked buildings to avoid another Usindiso tragedy.
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