Muddyvale homes flood, owners demand answers
Even after the heavy floods in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022, no one has attended to their complaints.
Residents of Muddyvale, Merlewood want answers from the municipality regarding their RDP homes which flood regularly.
The homes were handed over to them in 2018, and since then, they have had to live under leaking roofs and homes which flood during heavy rains.
According to resident, Merlisa Robertson 15 homes were affected by the recent rains.
“Our homes flood every time it rains, despite some of them having retaining walls. The sand from behind our homes is excavated against the walls and at some houses it’s so high that it comes through the back windows into the house, “Robertson explained.
She said after the heavy floods in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022, no one has attended to their complaints.
Some of the homes’ retaining walls were partially built and the bricks are still lying on the side of the walls.
Robertson said they have tried to speak to the contractors, the councillor and the ward committee about the retaining wall project, however, all they are told is that the municipality is not paying the contractors to continue with the work, and as a result the workers downed tools.
“We are not getting answers from the councillor or Ray Nkonyeni Municipality on when the project will be completed. The damage to our homes is so bad that we are afraid that they will collapse. When it rains the water seeps beneath the walls and our furniture is being damaged.
“It has been two years since this project was started and only a few retaining walls are complete. We have children at some of the homes, and the water collects in open trenches and the children play in it. It’s also causing mosquitoes to breed, and it’s just unbearable,” Robertson added.
She said the toilet systems are stuck as they are blocked with mud.
“In 2022, we were told to write down a list of names of those affected to get flood relief, but we have not received feedback. The names were given to the ward committee member in the area and when we ask she says she doesn’t know what is happening,” Robertson concluded.
The councillor for ward 17, Ajith Rajaram said he has knocked on all doors and has not received feedback from the municipality nor the contractor.
Cllr Rajaram did a site inspection two weeks ago, and called the project consultant to meet, however, he said he was too busy and could not make it.
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