Soshanguve Central Hostel residents fume over alleged government neglect following fatal blaze

Residents of Central Hostel in Soshanguve Block H are up in arms following a fatal fire that reportedly claimed one life, accusing government of failing to address long-standing service delivery challenges in the area.

Residents staged a protest in the township, demanding urgent intervention on issues including electricity, water supply and housing conditions.

Demonstrators were seen blocking the township’s main road at ‘Transfer’, where they lay down in the street to prevent traffic from moving.

Residents say they signed a petition that was approved in 2019, leading to the allocation of a budget intended to improve living conditions at the hostel.

However, they claim the project was later abandoned, leaving them without reliable access to water and electricity for extended periods.

They say the failure to deliver on these commitments has left the community feeling neglected and forgotten.

One resident, Sahara Baloyi, acknowledged that the settlement initially developed informally but said government had long promised to upgrade the hostel and improve living conditions.

Residents believe the tragic fire was caused by an unattended paraffin stove. The blaze tore through sections of the hostel, leaving several families devastated.

They also criticised emergency services, accusing firefighters of responding too slowly and arguing that the loss of life could have been prevented had authorities acted more swiftly.

Some residents have blamed the City of Tshwane for neglecting the community and failing to address long-standing service delivery challenges, saying they have been without reliable water and electricity for months.

YNews has learnt from residents that, since the fire, little assistance has been provided to affected families, apart from 25 mattresses reportedly distributed by the Department of Social Development.

Community leader, Mike Sibisi, says far more needs to be done to support those who lost their homes and belongings.

“It’s not just that which we need. We need I.D.s. Those people who are affected don’t have I.D.s anymore, they have nothing so that why we need authorities to come help us here. Another thing is that everyone who used to stay at the affected block must be moved to somewhere decent until a solution can be found. We are mad and protesting today because our officials have never come here in response to the fire,” said Sibisi.

Residents have also expressed frustration with City of Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleke, alleging that water supply was cut due to sewage spill challenges dating back to October last year, without any lasting solution being implemented.

They say the City’s Human Settlements Department has repeatedly promised to renovate the hostel, but residents continue to live without reliable access to water and electricity.

Ward Councillor, Sesi Sithole, says she engaged both the Social Development and Human Settlements Department following Friday’s fire, but only Social Development responded with relief support.

She said, in addition to 25 mattresses, the department also deployed a social worker to assist affected residents.

Sithole added that she personally assisted by buying food for some families.

She also confirmed that she requested the City of Tshwane to cut water supply in the area due to sewage spills concerns posing health risks, particularly for children.

Sithole declined to comment on the alleged 2019 approved budget for hostel upgrades, saying she was not in office at the time.

She further said MCC for Human Settlments, Aaron Maluleke, was expected to attend a community meeting at the hostel on 21 May but was unable to due to other commitments.

Residents say their next meeting with Maluleke is scheduled for 29 June.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao