24/09/2013 00:00
TW
0

Palma.—An elderly woman described yesterday how rapidly deteriorating conditions in the Palma suburb of Son Gotleu have forced her to leave her cherished home. “When I first came to live in Son Gotleu ,” said Isabel Cobos, waiting in the street for her family to help her move house, “it was full of honorable people, genuine and hard working. But a few years ago all that changed. African immigrants have now made life here imposssible.” “When I first came here, there were 18 Spanish people in the block I am leaving, and now there are just four. It's not a question of being racist but the immigrants have a totally different view on life. They don't pay community charges, they don't clean their living space and there are those who have been living without water and electricity for years. “They throw sheets into the toilets and naturally the piping becomes blocked. What's worse is that the effluent is then thrown back up and comes running down the staircase of the block of flats,” said Isabel, visibly upset.

Limited income
Isabel has a pension of 300 euros a month and gets help with food costs through the Red Cross social assistance scheme. “At my age it's really difficult psychologically to up roots and move on but my doctor says that if I don't, I'll perish here,” claims Isabel.
Two years ago, along with neighbours, Isabel had to live for a year without water because the supply company cut them off for non-payment. After a bitter fight with the neighbours on one side and the local authorities on the other, the supply company Emaya finally installed individual water meters in the flats where Isabel lived. But she and other residents were still having to pay the 12'000 euro bill of those people who moved in and out without contributing to the water costs. “I've had my home up for sale for years now,” explained Isable but no-one wants to hear about moving into Son Gotleu. But where was I to go on just 300 euros a month?” Isabel wants to see local authorities do more. “A while ago, an immigrant family moved in opposite me, but it was all too much for them and they moved out.”