Elderly eMbalenhle resident waits 15 years for promised relocation
Elsie Mashia’s health has made it increasingly difficult for her to climb up and down the staircase.
A 74-year-old eMbalenhle resident has become desperate for help after waiting for almost 15 years for the Govan Mbeki Municipality to fulfil its promise to relocate her from Tsalanang family flats to a residential stand.
Elsie Mashia, who lives on the second floor of the flats, said her health has made it increasingly difficult for her to use the stairs. She moves with difficulty and relies on crutches.
She said being relocated to a residential stand would ease the daily burden of getting in and out of her home.
“My daily life is a battle. Getting to my flat or going out is difficult. Having a residential stand would remove this burden because I will not have the stress of going in and out of the house,” said Mashia.
She said pensioners living at Tsalanang had previously been promised residential stands, with the municipality collecting their details and giving them hope that the relocation process would soon begin.
“Till today, nothing is happening,” she said.
She recalled falling while trying to use the stairs.
“I once fell trying to go down the stairs and injured my knees. Fortunately, my neighbours saw me. I am scared that one day I will fall when there is no one around to help me,” she said.
Mashia and her son recently approached the municipality’s housing section to seek an update on the relocation, but they were not given a clear answer.
“They keep promising that they are working on my problem,” she said.
Mashia questioned what she should celebrate during Women’s Month while she continues to struggle to access what she believes was promised to her.
“Now they are saying we must celebrate August as Women’s Month. How can I celebrate when I am struggling at the hands of those who are supposed to assist me?” asked Mashia.
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She also questioned the continued delay, saying residents were told that they needed to be relocated before the municipality could renovate the flats and use them as rental units.
“Another thing is that they said we have to be allocated residential stands for the municipality to be able to renovate these flats for rental. Nothing has happened,” said Mashia.
Other elderly residents at Tsalanang have echoed Mashia’s concerns, saying they have received numerous promises from the municipality and politicians over the years but little action.
With the upcoming local government elections, residents fear they could once again be presented with unfilled promises.
The residents are calling on the municipality to provide clarity on the relocation programme and give them a firm indication of when the promised residential stands will be allocated.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality media liaison and content developer, Donald Green, provided clarity on the planned relocation of residents from Tsalanang Flats to identified residential stands.
“The municipality confirms that the affected residents will be relocated to the identified residential stands once the site has been fully serviced and declared safe and suitable for occupation, and the municipality acknowledges that the process of allocating the residential stands has taken longer than anticipated.
“This is primarily because the identified site is not yet fully serviced and residents cannot be relocated to an area where the necessary basic infrastructure and services have not been completed,” said Green.
Green said the municipality has a responsibility to ensure that the site is appropriately serviced and safe before residents are allocated stands and relocated.
“This is important to avoid placing residents in an area that is not yet ready for occupation. Residents can therefore expect the relocation process to proceed as soon as the servicing of the site has been completed and the area is ready for occupation.
“The municipality understands the concerns and expectations of the affected residents and appreciates their patience while the necessary work and processes are being finalised.
“The municipality will continue to communicate with the affected residents and provide further updates on the relocation process as progress is made,” said Green.
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