Everyone affected by floods will eventually be relocated, metro says
Tshwane metro says it remains committed to ensuring that all flood residents are relocated as and when the land is acquired, despite flood victims saying they have been waiting for years for the process to start.
The recent heavy rain that caused parts of Centurion and Soshanguve to flood has sparked fears and brought back bad memories for Mamelodi flood victims.
The displaced flood victims claimed that it had taken almost three years of waiting and empty promises made by Tshwane metro to see them moving to safer land.
Samuel Simbini (67) from Willow Farm squatter camp said they were displaced following floods that swept away shacks in 2022.
“Tshwane metro told us the relocation process to a safer place is underway, and we were given blankets and food while we waited.
“Years have gone by, and we are still waiting for the relocation process to start.”
He said the library was supposed to be temporary accommodation while the government or the metro was looking for an alternative safe place with services for them to stay that was permanent.
He concluded that this was a matter of urgency and that it was about time the people got what they deserved.
Thabo Zitha from Mavuso Squatter Camp said he lost his permanent job because he was waiting for the relocation process to start.
He said he worked for a company that travelled a lot but he could not travel, because they would have left him behind.
Therefore, he claimed he stayed back, thinking the relocation process was just around the corner, not knowing he was going to wait for three years.
“We have signed petition after petition and held meetings, but nothing has been done.
“Instead of relocating the first-displaced and homeless people, Tshwane decided to move people who were not affected by the floods.”
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the relocation in question is a process.
He said everyone affected by floods would eventually be relocated.
Mashigo said the metro relocated Mamelodi Flood Victims to Pienaarspoort Ext 26 Mooiplaats (portions 20, 364 and 415) in 2022. Others were recently (in December last year) relocated to Leeuwfontein Ext 27, 707 to Pienaarspoort Ext 26 Mooiplaats (portion 20, 364 and 415) and 414 more relocated to Leeuwfontein Ext 27.
“Tshwane metro remains committed to ensuring that all residents that have been identified for relocation are relocated as and when the land is acquired and properly prepared for allocation,” said Mashigo.
The city had consultations with members of the community, and both parties agreed to the relocation plan on February 4, 2021.
Mashigo said the principles guiding the relocation as per the approved relocation plan are as follows:
– Both the old and new informal settlements (particularly those in dangerous areas) are to be prioritised.
– All to be shack-marked, verified and registered to be relocated and allocated a stand.
– Allocation of informal settlements in Regions 5 and 6.
– Only South Africans are to be relocated and allocated stands.
– Prioritise those under power line service, road reserves, or environmentally sensitive areas.
– Allocate beneficiaries who applied in 1998 to the National Housing Needs Register and temporary residential units (TRUs) that are sitting along power line servitudes.
– Meaningful and inclusive consultation and engagement with all, including the informal settlement residents, hostel dwellers, those on the needs register, and the backyard dwellers.
The city has undertaken the verification of flood victims who have been accommodated at the Nellmapius Community Hall since February 2022.
Mashigo said the main purpose was to list the current number of households staying in the community hall and to establish their accommodation needs.
“The verification process started afterwards. Councillors informed the flood victims, who are presently accommodated in the community hall, about the complaint raised by residents of Nellmapius who want to use it for matriculation examinations,” he said.
The city also wanted to have them relocated to their respective areas so that the hall could be available for use by the community.
The councillors also invited relevant informal settlement leadership where the flood victims are affected to inform them about the progress of the relocation process.
The flood victims are from Youth View, Mavuso, and Willow Farm informal settlements.
Mashigo added flood victims were informed that Human Settlements Department officials would verify them so that they have the exact list of households who are presently staying in the community hall in need of accommodation.
“No one will be allowed to exploit an opportunity to be prioritised during the relocation process. No queue jumping will be allowed,” Mashigo concluded.
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