Unresolved conflict – Wentworth residents left fuming
The ongoing conflict between Wentworth residents and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements continues to have serious ramifications as renovations to a block of flats are being delayed.

THE PROPOSAL by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements (KZNDHS) to cease maintenance and upkeep services for a block of flats in Wentworth has ignited a debate among residents.
KZNDHS and the residents have an ongoing dispute over the transferring of title deeds. The conflict began when KZNDHS initiated renovation of the buildings in 2010. The title deed transfer puts the responsibility of the upkeep of the block of flats on the resident, who would become an owner.
Also read: WATCH: Government addresses Wentworth residents housing concerns
Aubrey Snyman, Ward 68 councillor, said the responsibility now rests on the owners to address any structural issues within the property through a selected body corporate. KZNDHS will handle any concerns lying outside the property. Meanwhile, KZNDHS implemented a Rectification Programme for the current renovated building.
The Rectification Programme is a system put into place to address and correct any issues or defects with the renovated block of flats. Snyman said that the programme identified numerous faults, leading residents to resist the ownership transfer as the responsibility for addressing these issues now falls on them.
“The taps are faulty, toilets are leaking and geysers are packing up. KZNDHS indicated that this now falls on the owners and the body corporates to fix and maintain. The body corporates have not been established yet, and this is sparking debates between the residents and KZNDHS on who should be dealing with these issues,” said Snyman.
According to Snyman, the effects of the delayed service delivery are starting to dawn on the residents as there have been more complaints emerging regarding burst pipes being left broken for weeks, grass not being maintained and sewage overflowing due to poor sewerage infrastructure.
Jefferson Edwards Williams, a long-time resident, expressed his dissatisfaction with the timeliness of service delivery with the block of flats that still need to be refurbished. Williams, who lives on Woodville Road, had an issue with a burst pipe spewing water since the beginning of the year.
“I filed a complaint with the rent office and local councillor on January 3, after the pipe burst outside. We could see the water shooting up in the air. It was only after a week of wasted water before we received any assistance from KZNDHS,” said Williams.
In August last year, residents decided to illegally occupy the decant housing on Percy Johnson Road. They occupied 11 out of the 12 available units, affirming they wouldn’t vacate until KZNDHS commenced renovations. The illegal occupation continued on Alabama Road when more residents moved into another 18 decanting houses.
This elicited Sipho Nkosi, KZNDHS MEC, to intervene with the illegal occupation of decanting houses. He held a meeting with community leaders to remove the illegal occupants.
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