Hiccups ruin relocation of east flood victims
“The relocation was delayed following allegations of unlawful verification process by Tshwane officials and the Baptist church.”
The long-awaited relocation of Mamelodi flood victims to new land has reportedly been put on hold after a complaint about the process was made.
The move was suspended two days after it started.
A representative of the displaced people December Matlala said the relocation process started on 9 July, and two days later, the project was put on hold.
“The flood victims were happy after waiting almost seven months to be relocated after their homes were flattened by the floods last year, but the relocation was delayed following allegations of unlawful verification process by Tshwane officials and the Baptist church Pastor (Thembelani Jentile).
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Matlala said the relocation process went smooth at Nellmapius community hall but there were problems with 83 people who were still residing at the Baptist church and at a community hall.
“The issue was the verification process. The beneficiaries had to follow the criterion of pointing or showing a stand number where they were residing before and during the floods.”
Matlala claimed that the criterion was “rejected and undermined by the church pastor with the aid of Tshwane officials”.
“The Baptist pastor was forcing that each and every individual who was at the church benefit from the relocation process without following the necessary verification. His involvement in the process raised many concerns for the floods victims,” he said.
“The concerns among victims led them to open a case of corruption against the pastor and request urgent intervention from Tshwane municipality.
Matlala said an investigation showed 12 people were to benefit unlawfully and that foreign nations were included on the church beneficiary list.
“The flood victims said they were unhappy because the South African Human Rights Commission advised us that no foreign national should benefit from relocation.”
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Matlala also said the officials appointed to work with the community leaders in the verifying process did not cooperate, leading to delays of the relocation programme.
“The flood victims demanded that some officials must be suspended and be ordered not to work with the relocation process as they were undermining the criteria of verification when relocating people from the Baptist church.”
Matlala also said that resident had demanded the service provider add more trucks to speed up the relocation process as the three provided were not enough.
“The residents said they were not happy since the rainy season was around the corner and they did not want to experience the same disaster for the third time.
“So far, there are 55 shacks moved to the new land and we are concerned because the rainy season is around the corner. We demand harsh punishment for those who contributed to the beneficiary list to include foreigners as it is proven there was an illegal benefiting. Also, the residents want clarity on when phase 2 of the relocation process will begin.”
Pastor Thembelani Jentile of Mamelodi Baptist church denied all the allegations made again him.
He said the relocation process was being handled by the city of Tshwane and all they needed was an ID as proof that one was a South African citizen.
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“These allegations are nothing but a lie aimed at tarnishing my name. The people who are accusing me of adding people on the list have failed to give proof when given a chance,” said Jentile.
Jentile said he would consult with his lawyers.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city was aware of the allegations.
“Officials from the city’s human settlements department conducted an investigation into the matter, however, the alleged corrupt activities were not found,” said Mashigo.
“The process was transparent and the committee members of the Eerste Fabrieke residents were also part of the proceedings and feedback was provided to them,” said Mashigo.
“The allegations against the pastor are a fabrication. It should be clear that he is not part of the relocation process and he has never made a recommendation for anyone to be relocated,” he said.
Mashigo said the relocation process had not stopped.
“The challenge is the labour unrest that the city is currently facing which at times, hinders the relocation process.”
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