While part of the M2 motorway in Johannesburg will be closed to repair its unstable bridges, scores of homeless people living there in squalid conditions don't want to leave. A strong stench, rubble, stacked filthy blankets and clothes were evident as TimesLIVE approached an open space under one of the bridges.
At around 11am on Tuesday, about 10 men had congregated for a mid-morning nyaope fix. Some were busy packing trolleys, about to leave to hustle for food and nyaope. They have come here before and burnt our clothes and blankets," said John Maluleke, 37, as he rolled a joint. Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba announced on Monday that the M2 would be closed on Thursday to allow for bridge rehabilitation to resume. The Karsene and Selby bridges were closed on the eastern side in due to damaged stabilising pillars.
Times Select reported on Tuesday that along the cordoned-off bridge was evidence of scores of people living within the structures supporting the bridge. Some will make fires which heats the concrete Maluleke wakes up everyday to go "hustle".
He collects old plastic bottles and cardboard boxes and sells them to make a living. He spends the money on food, alcohol and nyaope - a drug he uses every morning. It is the most excruciating pain you can ever imagine. The men say they have been to rehabilitation centres. Sam Makhanya, 38, has been living in the streets since after he lost his job as a carpenter in Brakpan. It was tough last week when heavy rainfalls poured, but we always make a plan," Makhanya says.
There is no running water and people living here depend on the street lights for lighting at night. We wear the same clothes all the time and sometimes we get lucky that people come drop old clothes," said Makhanya.
