The Coronavirus outbreak in Cape Town has sparked panic in a Heideveld informal settlement, with desperate residents begging the City of Cape Town to provide them with fresh water to wash their hands.
Residents living in the Cathkin Informal Settlement fear if one person gets the dreaded virus, they will all be infected.
The settlement was formed in May 2018 following a dispute over a housing project where backyarders claimed they were sidelined and not given houses despite being on the waiting list.
Desperate residents begging the City of Cape Town to provide them with fresh water to wash their hands. Picture: Monique Duval
A 38-year-old mom, who asked not to be named, says for nearly two years they have been begging for water from surrounding neighbourhoods.
“Since we occupied the land, we have not received water or toilets. We use buckets and dump the excrement into a hole dug in the ground.
“We have made appeals to the City of Cape Town but nothing.
“They tell us we must wash our hands for 20 seconds but with what water?
“What will happen to the 400 people living here if one person gets the virus?”
PLEA: Heideveld informal settlement residents dump excrement in holes
Vanessa Adriaanse of the Cathkin Informal Settlement committee says the land is owned by the Department of Public Works and has existing water points that were disconnected.
“Every time we go to the City, they say we must go to Public Works but there are existing water points that were used when the City erected the containers for people during the upgrades of the rental stock.
“The people are aware of the eviction order which says they must be out by June, but at this point they are just asking for water.”
City spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, says the City will look at providing water in tankers as a temporary relief measure.