KwaZulu-Natal MEC appeals for flood victims to accept relocation offer amid housing crisis

The plight of over 150 flood victims in KwaZulu-Natal has reached a critical juncture following their eviction from the Bayside Hotel in Durban's CBD as provincial authorities grapple with a mounting housing crisis.

Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has made an urgent appeal for these individuals, which include vulnerable women and young children, to accept offers for temporary shelter provided by the department.

The flood victims found themselves abruptly displaced when the provincial department could not sustain payment for their accommodation at the hotel.

With a substantial allocation of R185 million intended for temporary housing for more than 1,200 families, the department now faces the grim reality of needing an additional R128 million to continue supporting these displaced communities.

Tensions have escalated among the victims, many of whom refuse relocation to the Chesterville Community Hall, which officials claim is equipped to provide adequate shelter.

A small but vocal group has mobilised against the move, fostering an environment of aggression and intimidation.

Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya has expressed concern over the safety of individuals resisting relocation, revealing that some have reported feelings of terror and have faced intimidation from peers discouraging them from moving.

"It is unfortunate that there are individuals among the victims who mobilised against any move to Chesterville while we sort payments to the hotel," Sibiya stated. "We must prioritise their safety and comfort, especially in such trying times."

The welfare of the children among these flood victims remains a significant concern. The harsh weather conditions endured by the displaced individuals during the night left many feeling abandoned and fearful, intensifying the urgent need for resolution.

As part of ongoing efforts to address the situation, MEC Duma was set to meet with Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane in Gauteng to devise an immediate strategy.

The department attributed delays in payments to caution regarding potential audit findings related to irregular expenditures. A recent meeting with the Human Rights Commission further underscored the severity of the crisis and the pressing need for actionable solutions.

Compounding the situation is the acknowledgment that the funds expended on temporary accommodation could have been diverted to constructing homes for these displaced families.

Efforts to build houses on state-owned land in Shallcross and other areas have faced significant obstacles, with contracts being jeopardised by community resistance and intimidation against contractors.

Many of the affected families had previously resided in floodplains and other areas unsuitable for long-term housing, complicating any reconstruction attempts.

Since the April 2022 floods, these families have endured a series of relocations—beginning at Bayview Community Hall, moving to Impala Flats at South Beach, and finally landing at the Bayside Hotel four months ago. Families hail from various locations, including Umlazi, Lamontville, and Chatsworth.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has voiced strong criticism regarding the provincial department's handling of the crisis, particularly focusing on communication failures and inadequate support following the evictions.

They have called for urgent intervention to alleviate the suffering of those affected, pressing for government accountability in addressing the ongoing fallout from the natural disaster.

Notably, in March this year, the Shallcross community rejected a proposal from the Department of Human Settlements for new housing projects in the area, emphasising a need for improved infrastructure and service delivery before new developments could be considered.

Their refusal, they stated, had no racial motives; rather, it stemmed from the genuine need for existing local issues to be addressed first.

DAILY NEWS