South Africa: Families Live With Rubbish and Rats in Joburg Stadium

What the report says

Hundreds of people who were displaced by fires and evictions in Johannesburg’s inner city are still living for years in temporary emergency accommodation at Wembley Stadium, where conditions have deteriorated sharply. GroundUp, as republished by AllAfrica, reports that about 350 residents have been staying at the site since 2016, even though the city’s policy says such accommodation should generally last no more than six months and should lead toward permanent housing.

Residents described worsening living conditions, including rubbish, rats, damaged or inadequate sanitation, limited security and overcrowding in tents, shacks and the main building. Some people say electricity and water once worked but no longer do. Others told the outlet they feel unsafe and abandoned. The article also notes that some container units appear to be in better condition than the rest of the site, and residents said access to those units is limited.

The City of Johannesburg did not answer detailed questions about Wembley, citing legal advice, but a city spokesperson said the main problem is a shortage of available housing units. The report says TEA funding has also dropped significantly in recent budget years. Housing advocates and researchers quoted in the article said the problem reflects a broader lack of affordable housing in the inner city, meaning temporary emergency sites can become effectively permanent unless the housing supply and maintenance issues are addressed.