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Freedom Park residents bitter over lack of services

26 March 2018


For the past 18 years, residents have been living without basic services, such as electricity, water and toilets.
As South Africa commemorated Human Rights Day on March 21, residents of Freedom Park, in Villa Liza, voiced strong opinions that their rights have been violated.
According to community leader Themba Nkani, after seeing that the metro was not responding to their pleas, the community resorted to submitting a letter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

The SAHRC is an independent body which promotes, protects and monitors human rights in South Africa.
“In January, we formally complained to the SAHRC, which then responded.
“Members from the SAHRC came and they took pictures of our area. They told us that they had sent an enquiry to the Ekurhuleni metro, to which they had received a response.
“They called us recently to tell us to come and pick up the report,” Nkani said.
He said they need a drastic change in Freedom Park because they have been ‘living like abandoned citizens for years’.
“Freedom Park is in darkness at night because there are no street lights.”
According to Gail Smith, spokesperson of the SAHRC, water and sanitation are fundamental human rights which are provided for in the Bill of Rights.
“The Water Services Act states that everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and sanitation services. Every water services institution must take steps to realise these rights. Every municipality must plan in its water services development plan to realise these rights.”
Where to complain

A complaint may be lodged at any provincial office of the SAHRC where a violation of a fundamental right took place.
A complaint can be lodged in person, by telephone, in writing or by completing the online complaint form available at www.sahrc.org.za

Source: Boksburg Advertiser

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