KNYSNA NEWS - Residents of Hlalani, Knysna are concerned about the unstable wooden staircases in the area, which they say pose a threat to the safety of children and the elderly.
One of the staircases there has become dislodged from its moorings, and is lying askance on the ground.
According to the residents, the staircases were built by the municipality two years ago, to enable residents to access their new houses, built on a steep hill.
Now, they say, due to the deterioration of the staircases, some of them can reach their homes only by walking through neighbours' yards and using relatively sound sections of the stairs.
Fears for her life
They emphasised that even the staircases that had not become dislodged were dangerous to use, and broke in places when used.
One of the residents, Mpoyi Tsotsa, told the Knysna-Plett Herald that she feared for her life when she used the wooden staircases.
"The material of the staircases is very poor. Everybody knows in Knysna it rains a lot here, which is the reason why wood must not be used when you build an outdoor staircase.
Mpoyi Tsotsa points to broken parts of a staircase.
"If someday I will fall from these staircases, God forbid, it will be very bad. Luckily, we haven't had any serious and permanent injuries thus far. But let's not tempt fate. We will prefer that the staircases be made of cement; then we know it will take years to deteriorate, if at all."
Tsotsa further said when the staircases were built, provision was not made for people living with a disability or those who struggled to walk.
'Carrying the disabled'
"In this day and age, one needs to be considerate to these types of needs.
"What happens now is that someone has to carry that disabled person from the top all the way to the ground, using the staircase.
Residents fear vehicles might leave a road and crash into their houses because of a lack of fencing.
"This extra weight also puts extra pressure on the wooden staircase, which means double the danger," she said.
She added that there was no fencing bordering houses below a road, and she feared vehicles might leave the road and crash into the houses.
'No electricity'
Another serious problem for residents, Tsotsa said, was when they took ownership of the RDP houses, they had not been connected to an electrical substation.
"Most of the people have no choice but to use illegal electricity 'izinyoka', otherwise they will have no lights or warm meals.
"Let's be clear; we are very grateful to the municipality for what they have done thus far. However, the electricity should have been installed before we moved in.
'Stinks day and night'
"The empty houses are being vandalised by tsotsis and used for drugs and sex. To top it off, several overflowing sewerage manholes in the area also pose a health threat. It stinks day and night!"
The smell from overflowing sewerage manholes in the area is a cause of great discomfort for the residents. Photos: Wyndham Ewerts
According to Tsotsa, the residents have contacted the ward councillor, Ncedisi Sikhosana, and the municipality, to voice their concerns, but had received "empty promises".
An enquiry was send to the municipality, and when an answer is received, it will be published.
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