LILLIAN AMOS
A family living in a council-owned flat in Parkwood claim that while their health is deteriorating, the City of Cape Town hasn’t made any efforts to fix their home.
Clara Philander’s flat was damaged when a neighbouring flat in Moosa Walk was gutted by a fire in December last year.
Ms Philander, 62, who has been living in Parkwood for over 40 years, 20 of them at the flat, said the City had come to her home for an assessment but did not give any feedback as to when the residence will be fixed.
In one of the bedrooms, there’s a gaping hole in the ceiling left when firefighters tried to stop the fire from spreading to Ms Philander’s home.
Grandson Fabio Francis was at home at the time when the fire started.
“My cousin and I were siting in the lounge when we saw smoke coming from the bathroom. When I saw the smoke I got the garden-hose and started spraying where I thought the fire was coming from. It was only later on that I found out that the fire was actually next door,” said Fabio.
“I am very grateful that my home wasn’t gutted but I am disappointed that the City hasn’t fixed up my home yet.
“No one can sleep in the bedroom where the ceiling is missing,” said Ms Philander.
Showing Southern Mail a doctor’s note, Ms Philander said she is suffering with respiratory problems and her daughter from sinusitis.
“When it rains the water pours into the house. The wind is even worse and my home looks ugly because the walls are still black from the run-off from when the fire was extinguished.
“I am a pensioner, I don’t have the finances to repaint and fix this and it’s not my responsibility because it is after all rental stock,” said Ms Philander.
There are worries that the vacant derelict flat where the fire started would become a breeding ground for insects as it is currently being used as a dumping spot. There are also concerns that drug users and vagrants will use the space for criminal activities.
Jasmine Cupido, who lives in the street, said she has seen a few suspicious characters at the property.
“There are many places in Parkwood where flats or houses are vacant and it is run by druggies. I have seen a few people come in and out of the yard of the gutted flat and I know people are going to take advantage if it’s not fixed soon,” said Ms Cupido.
DA proportional representative councillor William Akim, who went to look at the damage at the flat, said the City is well aware of the damage and that the case had been escalated to the City’s insurance department.
He also added the insurance department will appoint a contractor to repair the damaged flats.
“Ms Philander’s council rental flat will be fixed as the housing department has consulted with her. The insurance department has sent out officials to assess the damage caused by the fire,” said Mr Akim.
He adds that no medical concerns were raised and no medical certificates were received by the City to justify Ms Philander’s claims.
Asked about residents’ concerns that the derelict flat could become a drug house, Mr Akim said the issue was raised with the Parkwood maintenance department to prevent that from happening.
He also said all the entrances to the flat were sealed off.
“The family who resided at the damaged flat have been temporarily housed at Beulah Court and will move back to their flat once repairs on the flat have been completed,” said Mr Akim.