Tshwane has finally delivered on its promise made a few years ago to relocate the so-called Mamelodi flood victims to a habitable area.
MMC for Human Settlements, Ofentse Madzebatela said the flood victims are being relocated to Leeuwfontein ext. 27.
He said this has been a sore point for Tshwane for the last few years, many people used this as a political game during elections.
“But today as the metro, we are here to deliver on the promises that we have made to relocate people that are on the flood line, servitude and community hall,” said Madzebatela.
“We are proud to give community halls back to the residents to use for recreational purposes.”
He said the victims were being relocated to where they would be able to start building their homes away from danger.
According to Madzebatela his department is very happy with the relocations and is looking forward to more to ensure people develop in safe areas.
Josephina Masemola of Seven Seven informal settlement next to Eerste Fabrieke railway station said she was excited about moving to a safe place.
She said she has been living in a dangerous place since 2018 and was very happy to move.
FEAR AND HOPLESSNESS FOLLOING FLOOD
“Many people felt hopeless and lost since they were kept in the dark about when we would be moved to a safer place away from the flood line,” she said.
“The heavy rain we experienced in 2019 has left us in fear, and it has taken very long for the authorities to relocate us to a safer place.
“We were all gripped by fear every time it rained, especially at night.”
She said residents would lie awake the whole night wondering what would happen next.
“I lost everything I had last year.”
Daphney Aphane said she was among the 700 families whose shacks were swept away by floods.
She said she lived with her two children then but had to ship them off for their safety.
“I am happy to move to a safe place because I can bring my children back to stay with me,” she said.
“The fear of a fresh flood leads to residents evacuating at the very possibility of rain on the horizon.”
She said there is no guarantee that when she leaves for work in the morning she will still have a place to stay when she returns.
“Informal settlement leaders need to work with the metro to prevent another land invasion by fencing the area and posting security guards around night and day,” she said.
“People should not be allowed to build shacks in the flood line now to put themselves ahead of the line for relocation.”
Mamelodi and Nellmapius residents were also happy that the relocation has finally begun and they will be able to use their community halls again.
Nellmapius resident Jack Mahlaule said residents will have their community halls again.
He said community members were unable to meet, and host events and the Grade 12 learners were unable to use the community halls to prepare for their exams this year,
“We are happy the issue of flood victims is being resolved and Tshwane must ensure no land invasion takes place, especially in the flood line,” said Mahlaule.
The residents of Phomolong, Seven Seven and Phase 1 informal settlements will be relocated first.
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