Flood victims relocation remains metro’s priority
Multi-coalition government in Tshwane is committed to the relocation of Mamelodi flood victims.
The Tshwane metro was still committed to relocating residents affected by flooding back in December 2019, according to human settlements MMC Abel Tau.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all residents who have been identified for relocation are relocated once the land has been acquired and properly prepared for allocation,” he said.
Tau was giving an update on the relocation of the progress of flood victims in regions 5 and 6 when he made the remarks.
The metro has successfully acquired portions 20, 364 and 415 on a farm in Mooiplaats for this purpose.
During phase 1 and 2A of the relocation, about 610 beneficiaries from Eerste Fabrieke, Riverside, Mavuso, Mamelodi ext 11, transit camps 1 and 2 and K54 informal settlements were relocated to the said portion in Mooiplaats.
CATCH UP: Relocate remaining flood victims as promised, metro is told
Phase 2 B of the relocation is subjected to the finalisation of the process to acquire suitable land.
“Once the suitable land has been identified, we must ensure that have the budget available so that we acquire it for the identified informal settlements to be relocated,” said Tau.
These include Alaska, Malema Village, Mavuso, Eerste Fabrieke, transit camp 1 and 2, Lethabong, Phumzile Park, Nellmapius ext 6.
The flood victims were afraid that they would once again be hit by floods like they were in 2019 when around 700 shacks at an informal settlement in Eerste Fabrieke were swept away by floods.
The flood left more than a 1 000 people homeless, among them women and children.
“We are tired of sleeping with one eye open when it starts to rain especially at night,” said flood victim representative, December Matlala.
However, Matlala said finally there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“We are confident that eventually we will be all be moved to a safer place if the relocation process is handled by someone who knows our history,” said Matlala.
“Even though we are not going to be relocated all at once, we hope that we are all going to be relocated to a safer place and won’t be kept in the dark.”
Matlala said the process of relocation was delayed by “bad communication” between the flood victims and officials handling the relocation process and “corruption”.
Tau said that the land acquisition process was highly complex.
“I would like to ensure the affected residents that this matter is being prioritised by my department.”
He said his department would keep the community updated on important news.
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