BCM housing project a ‘death trap’

Occoupants of a Haven Hills housing project are living in fear of their safety in their “death trap” homes.

Another problem the occupants have is that none of the top floor windows have latches.

Last week a meeting was called between the occupants, officials from BCM’s housing department and ward 10 councillor Irene Brauns after the occupants refused to sign the “happy letters”.

“The letters stated once the occupants sign, they will be liable for any risk that might occur.

“We refuse to take the risk, hence we are not going to sign these letters,” said the occupants.

Brauns said her plea to get the structures inspected fell on deaf ears.

“When the late housing manager, Sabelo Kondile, asked me to sign over the units to the beneficiaries, I refused because I did not want blood on my hands. I knew those houses were dangerous to live in when they collapsed during construction,” said Brauns.

Brauns said an elderly woman had already fallen on the “wobbly” stairs and broken her arm.

By the time of writing BCM had not responded to questions sent to them regarding this matter. — arethal@dispatch.co.za