Durban - With four days to go before Christmas, it remains unclear whether the flood victims living in Ntuzuma Township F Section Hall will be moved to more humane accommodation by the deadline announced last week by the provincial government.
Last week, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube made an undertaking to close all mass care centres and relocate all flood victims to new accommodation before Christmas.
EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, who visited scores of families sheltered at the hall yesterday, said while it was shocking to see people living in such conditions, they were not surprised as this merely reflected the attitude of the government.
He decried the living conditions, saying they were similar to those found in conflict-ridden countries.
“What we have seen here should not be the case, especially at this time of the year because people should be together with their families in their homes, and not in community care centres as is the case here,” said Dlamini.
He said they had brought food parcels to give to the affected families to ensure that they had proper meals during the festive season.
Dlamini said the slow pace by the government in providing proper houses to the families had pushed the EFF into a position where they were now looking for land to which the flood victims could be relocated in order to build proper homes.
“We have set the local leadership the task of identifying land which we will occupy and ensure that people have land where they will build their houses, because this current situation cannot be allowed to continue,” Dlamini said. He also warned of further disruptions of council sittings, saying eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda would not be allowed to address council members until the plight of the victims had been addressed.
While last week’s sitting proceeded without any interruptions, the one two weeks ago had to be halted after EFF councillors disrupted proceedings, demanding answers regarding the sewage problem that has affected the water quality at city beaches, and the plight of the flood victims.
“No mayor will address a council. That is our undertaking and we are sticking to it,” Dlamini said.
He also dismissed any talk of the EFF entering into an agreement with the ANC in the possible running of eThekwini Municipality.
Speculation has been rife that the ANC in eThekwini and the EFF are in coalition talks after Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) leader Philani Mavundla was removed as deputy mayor.
Dlamini, however, dismissed all talk of negotiations yesterday.
Reacting to the EFF’s allegations that they were failing to attend to flood victims swiftly, Human Settlements Department spokesperson Mlungisi Khumalo said the government was doing everything possible to ensure that they were attended to.
“The commitment to have the families in Transit Emergency Accommodation by Christmas still remains because the government understands the need to live in a dignified setting,” said Khumalo.
He also cautioned the EFF against identifying land for resettlement.
“The EFF does not have to identify any piece of land to invade for flood victims because the government has identified and bought land and construction is already under way,” said Khumalo.
According to the spokesperson, by the end of the first quarter next year, a sizeable number of families would be moved to their permanent homes built by the government.
EThekwini Municipality said the city remained committed to moving the flood victims to better accommodation within the shortest possible period.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the city was working with other spheres of government to ensure that this was possible.
“We are happy with the strides we have made in this regard to restore their dignity.
“We will, therefore, not be distracted by any frivolous statements from political formations that use the plight of the victims to advance their political agenda,” he said.