Ghost Town families welcome relocation, services

WITH plans under way to relocate 60 families from Salt River to the Ghost Town informal settlement at Gate 1 of the Maitland Cemetery, families in the settlement living in proximity to the graves say they welcome the move, as it would create access to basic services such as electricity, ablution facilities and proper running water.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

The City plans to expand the informal settlement, which has existed for many years, with the relocation of the families from Salt River.

Mayco member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, confirmed an “upgrade” would be taking place at the site, which would include relocation opportunities and formalised basic services.

He said the project would ensure a safe and well managed settlement.

Geraldine Josias, a committee member in Ghost Town, said at first they were against the move, but the upgrade would rescue them from dire living conditions.

She has made the informal settlement her home for the past 17 years.

Often she and her family relocated and moved their shack as the grave space grew inside the cemetery.