+34
City of Cape Town authorities say the challenges in the Department of Human Settlements are manifold
Many Cape Town residents have resorted to backyard dwellings while informal settlements have mushroomed, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. With hundreds of informal settlements in the metro, NGOs working in the space say those who have occupied spaces across the city have done so because their pleas for assistance have not been heeded.
“There are sprawling informal settlements on large swathes of often unsuitable land. Authorities say such settlements number more than 800 across the city. Luyanda Mtamzeli from the housing rights organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi says, “As we know during covid-19, mass occupations took place because people lost jobs and could not afford to continue paying rent. This resulted in occupations being erected in informal settlements and other areas. The issue we have is that some of these occupants are not in suitable spaces.” City of Cape Town authorities say the challenges in the Department of Human Settlements are manifold. Among them, are people erecting informal settlements in unsuitable areas like wetlands or where no services can be provided. Mayco member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, says the recent storms that hit the province, particularly Cape Town, have demonstrated the need for people to refrain from occupying unsuitable areas. “I think we need to review the PI Act. Cabinet must now review the Act because that is how we are going to legally stop individuals from invading and occupying spaces where they shouldn’t be. Whether it’s MMC Pophaim, Minister Hlabisa, or President Cyril Ramaphosa, no services can be delivered into those spaces so people should not be there in the first place.” On a visit to informal settlements in Cape Town recently, the national minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said the Department is working with provincial and municipal authorities to fast-track the relocation of vulnerable informal settlements… “Category C informal settlements are those in danger of disasters like floods and the Western Cape we have the issues of fires. So what we say then is that they must include in their business plan reblocking so that we don’t continue to see the fires happening so there’s work that will continue once we have laid the foundation.” The City says over the past five years, nine Breaking New Ground housing projects were completed. These are in Delft, Greenville Phase 4, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Belhar, and Pook se Bos. Social housing projects completed include Conradie Park, Maitland, and Regent Villas. The City has cited the issue of what it terms the ‘construction mafia’ as causing major and expensive delays in completing housing projects. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ramaphosa mourns death of two SANDF soldiers in DRC - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world,President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his sadness following the death of two SANDF soldiers in DRC.
Read more »
Steve Biko Foundation scoffs at position jostling in GNU - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports,Steve Biko Foundation expresses concern over talks on the formation of the seventh administration.
Read more »
Mining communities suffer from human rights violations: HRC - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports,Commission chairperson Victor Mavhidula was speaking in Polokwane.
Read more »
Innibos Arts Festival economic boom for Mpumalanga - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world,The festival aims to showcase a rich variety of art, theater, and music.
Read more »
Biden, Trump prep for presidential debate - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business,Biden, 81, and former president Trump, 78, are neck-and-neck in national opinion polls.
Read more »
Cape Town's homeless fight looming eviction - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world,A Western Cape High Court order states that the homeless groups leave the area by August 1.
Read more »