A special council meeting was held this morning (February 4) at the Newcastle council chambers, to discuss the proposed sale of the Suryaville municipal staff flats.

A delegation of  five representing the tenants of the flats attended the meeting, using the opportunity to voice their concerns in the hope that the decision to sell the property would be reconsidered.

Residents expressed disappointment that letters informing them of the intended sale had been served during the festive season, which they said dampened what should have been a time of celebration.

They also criticised the manner in which the notices were delivered, describing it as insensitive.

Lack of communication

Further concerns were raised over the lack of consultation.

Tenants said neither their ward councillor, Connie Harriram, nor the municipality had engaged with them before the decision was made.

Residents further accused the municipality of failing in its mandate to provide adequate housing for the community.

They explained that they were preparing to approach several bodies, including the Department of Human Settlements, the Human Rights Commission and the KwaZulu-Natal Rental Housing Tribunal, to seek assistance and prevent possible homelessness.

The tenants appealed to council to reconsider any eviction plans, noting that most residents are pensioners who cannot afford alternative accommodation.

For many, the flats have been their only home.

Following a brief discussion, the council resolved to refer the matter back to the Department of Human Settlements and Planning for further investigation and legal consideration.

In the interim, speaker, Thengi Zulu, confirmed that any eviction process has been temporarily halted, offering residents short-term relief while due processes are followed.

Tenants left the council chambers visibly relieved.

However, until a final decision is reached, uncertainty remains over whether the residents can truly feel secure about their future.

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel