While the Eastern Cape government has completed 31 temporary residential units (TRUs) in the Mnquma municipality, flood victims in Mthatha are still uncertain about their fate after being told to vacate the B&Bs where they have been housed.
Victims displaced by the June 10 floods say they have been informed they will now be relocated to a municipal hall in Southernwood, although no official confirmation was given by the time of publication.
Nolizwi Ndamase, who has been staying at a B&B in Fort Gale with her young children, including a four-month-old baby, said the families were devastated.
“Before coming here, we stayed in that [municipal] hall, and it was freezing,” she said.
“They came and said it would take more than a week to build us temporary shelters, at a pace of four a day. Now we just feel like a flock of sheep that is being shunted everywhere.”
Another resident, 58-year-old Sizeka Dlabane from Slovo Park informal settlement, said the situation was becoming unbearable.
“We were told we would be moved into temporary shelters, but that story has changed entirely now,” she said.
“Our children often go to school on empty stomachs, and we were promised they would be provided with scholar transport. That has not happened.
“Now we have to beg people to lend us money so our children can get to school.”
Dlabane said despite being accommodated at B&Bs, they often received just one meal a day, mainly from humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers.
“We’re starting to feel like a burden. Authorities don’t care about our welfare any more,” she said.
This week, it emerged that the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa), which has spent more than R20m on flood relief so far, had pulled out of providing daily hot meals to victims housed at B&Bs and mass care centres.
The government reportedly set a deadline of July 31 for flood victims to leave the B&Bs.
Provincial government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said the relocation process was under way, despite delays.
“Regrettably, the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality faced delays in securing land for temporary residential units, impacting the timeline,” she said.
“As the deadline for accommodating displaced families in B&Bs expired today, we have temporarily relocated them to an alternative mass care centre until the TRUs are ready for occupation.
“Contingency plans are in place to ensure a smooth transition, including the provision of meals through donor support.
“We are committed to conducting this transition with dignity, strengthened co-ordination and transparency, ultimately providing sustainable housing solutions.”
In Mnquma, more than 30 TRUs have been completed on a site outside Butterworth, with a further 89 expected by August 7.
In Mthatha, land has been secured for 470 TRUs in areas including Maydene Farm, Kwa-Link village, Tracor, the old Transkei Meat Industry and Enkululekweni.
Construction has begun, with proximity to clinics, schools and transport considered.
“We are working diligently to complete TRUs in OR [Tambo], with occupation expected to commence later this week,” Rantjie said.
Daily Dispatch
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