Residents demand answers over new housing development
The construction of 500 houses at the barracks near Engen, where many were evicted from, has ignited a wave of frustration among current residents.
FLAT dwellers who were relocated from the barracks to the Wentworth flats in 2010 are demanding an explanation from the eThekwini Municipality regarding a new housing project planned for the site of their former homes.
The construction of 500 houses at the barracks, near Engen, where many were evicted from, has ignited a wave of frustration among current residents.
Also read: Human Settlements Dept assesses shoddy workmanship at Wentworth flats
At a recent community meeting, residents voiced their concerns after an announcement by Ward 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman. Allan Holmes, a representative of the community, expressed their dismay, stating, “People were moved from the barracks, and now, there is a proposed development scheduled to take place soon. We have been excluded from the beneficiaries, despite numerous complaints about the poor and inhumane conditions we endure at the Wentworth flats.”
Residents argued that the new development highlights a deep-seated inequity as those who were displaced are still living in substandard conditions while others benefit from the proposed project. The community is calling for a thorough investigation and inclusion in the development plans to address their grievances and improve their living situation.
“How can the authorities deliberately turn a blind eye to the complaints we have raised about the poor conditions in our flats? We believed that our needs would be prioritised in any new housing developments because the flats we are currently living in are in such poor condition,” Homes added.
The flats, at the corner of Lansdowne and Silvertree roads, were a joint-venture housing project of the eThekwini Municipality and the KZN Human Settlements Department. The community voiced serious grievances about the deteriorating conditions of their homes. One of the most alarming issues raised was the use of substandard materials in the construction of the flats.
Meanwhile, the KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements has allocated a R3.5 billion budget for the 2024/2025 financial year to address the poor living conditions in rural houses and deteriorating flat dwellings that have been neglected for too long.
During a budget speech, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said that the KZN government is well aware that certain areas were established as a means of dividing the population into ethnic groupings.
“We drafted this budget speech with a clear understanding that hostels and townships were created to temporarily house Africans who were only regarded as cheap labour.
“Townships such as Wentworth, Chatsworth, Phoenix, uMlazi, KwaMashu, KwaMakhutha, Cator Manor, Hammarsdale and many more were created not for human settlements but to allow for easy surveillance and monitoring of the people by the apartheid government,” said Duma.
The department is expected to begin public consultations with the residents once the proposal reaches its final stages.
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