Residents of Shakashead’s tin houses are despairing that their situation will ever be attended to.
However KwaDukuza municipality spokesperson Sifiso Zulu promises that help is on the way.
There are close to 40 people who live in Shakashead in tin houses with no electricity or water. These people were relocated to the “temporary” houses next to RA Padayachee Primary School after their shacks were destroyed by a fire four years ago.
“When it is raining, the tin houses leak badly. When we were moved to these houses, we were told they were temporary homes,” said resident Khayelihle Ndlovu.
According to the residents, Tarzan Nacker from KwaDukuza municipality disaster management came to check on their situation last month, but they have since heard nothing further from the municipality.
“Whenever we need to use a toilet there is no other place to go besides the nearby bush which is unsafe, especially for the women and children at night,” said Ndlovu.
The bush that he is referring to is not far from their houses, adding a health risk to a bad situation.
Zulu said the matter was brought to the attention of the municipality’s disaster management team sometime last year after heavy rains.
“Upon investigation and assessment, these houses were found to be leaking. Water was also coming in from the sides of the roof sheeting and flooding the houses. There were issues of the land being flat with no proper drainage or stormwater system in place. There was nothing much the disaster management could do, but they assisted in whatever way possible,” said Zulu.
He said the situation was temporary and that the municipality was obligated to provide an alternative, however he could not provide a date for the start of construction.
“KwaDukuza municipality has started on a project to provide these facilities.
The municipality had discussions with a local businesswoman, Tamsyn Ferreira of Alifurn (Outdoor Furniture manufacturers). She showed great interest in spearheading and coordinating this project.
“She was quite moved by the plight of these residents and is quite determined to facilitate the building of bathrooms, toilets and the provision of a water standpipe,” said Zulu.
He further stated that the municipality has negotiated with Siza Water, who have agreed to provide the water standpipe and sewer facilities.
“As a municipality we also wish to place on record our thanks to all the stakeholders for their involvement and for volunteering to be part of this project,” he said.
