Department appeals to flood victims to accept temporary shelter assistance

STAFF REPORTER

THE Transport and Human Settlements MEC in KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, is urgently appealing to over 150 flood victims recently evicted from the Bayside Hotel in Durban's CBD to accept the temporary shelter offer from the department.

The victims, who include women and young children, now find themselves stranded after the provincial department's failure to pay for their accommodation at the hotel.

The department has so far allocated R185 million to provide temporary housing for over 1200 families, yet they now face an immediate need for an additional R128 million to ensure ongoing support. Following the eviction, tensions flared as some victims expressed their refusal to accept relocation to the Chesterville Community Hall, where officials claim adequate shelter is available. Reports indicate that a small group among the victims mobilised against the move, leading to an atmosphere of aggression and intimidation.

Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya addressed concerns regarding the safety of individuals refusing to leave, stating, "It is unfortunate that there are individuals among the victims who mobilised against any move to Chesterville while we sort payments to the hotel. There are terrified individuals who have informed us that they have been intimidated and forced not to move to Chesterville Community Hall."

Sibiya expressed deep concern for the well-being of the children among these flood victims, who endured exposure to harsh weather conditions during the night and this morning. "We must prioritise their safety and comfort, especially in such trying times," he asserted.

MEC Duma was expected to meet with Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane in Gauteng today to formulate an urgent plan to address the pressing situation. The department attributes the delay in payments to a commitment to avoid any potential audit findings related to irregular expenditures, according to Sibiya. A recent meeting with the Human Rights Commission underscored the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate solutions.

A troubling aspect of the situation is the money already spent on temporary accommodation, which Sibiya acknowledged could have been directed towards building homes for the displaced flood victims. Unfortunately, efforts to build homes for the victims on state-owned land in Shallcross and other areas were thwarted, as contractors faced intimidation and were forced to abandon the projects due to community resistance. Many of the affected families previously resided in floodplains and unsuitable land, rendering rebuilding an unfeasible option.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has voiced strong criticism of the department’s handling of the crisis, particularly regarding communication and support following the evictions at the Bayside Hotel. The party is demanding urgent intervention to alleviate the suffering of those affected.

This marks the latest in a series of relocations for these flood victims, who have been moved multiple times since the disaster first struck. Their journey began at Bayview Community Hall, shifted to Impala Flats at South Beach, and later transitioned to the Bayside Hotel about four months ago. Many families hail from areas such as Umlazi, Lamontville, and Chatsworth.

In March this year the community of Shallcross rejected a Department of Human Settlement's proposal to build houses for the flood victims in the area. The identified state-owned plot of land is of four that the government had earmarked to relocate those who lost their houses in the April 2022 floods. The Shallcross community said their resistance wasn't racially motivated but they needed the government to improve the infrastructure and fix other existing service delivery issues first before building new houses in the area.