The right to adequate housing in South Africa is a right enshrined in the country’s constitution and one which many citizens have been denied. Since the advent of democracy, residents in communities across the country have demanded houses.
This has sparked numerous violent protests as Government scrambles to deliver housing as promised when they were in the election campaign.
Backyard dwellings or ‘mkhukhus’ have become commonplace and Chiawelo residents have expressed their dissatisfaction about the slow delivery of housing in the area.
Chiawelo residents were fuming at a public meeting called by the Ward 12 councillor, Jabu Mnisi. They were crying foul play saying that they were promised houses since 1996 and nothing has happened since then.
The meeting was held at the Chiawelo Community Centre and residents were asking what happened to a project called the 96/97 Campaign.
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This campaign was focused on verifying applicants of housing subsidies and it was launched in 2014 by former City of Joburg executive mayor, councillor Parks Tau.
The pilot phase started in Region D and was slated for implementation across all regions. Residents were looking for answers and asked why they still do not have houses.
They demanded to see the Ward 12 Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing, Mzobani Ntuli, who was absent from the meeting.
Mnisi said in response to questions about the MMC being a no-show and said that he had no idea why the MMC was absent and added that his office had confirmed that he would be at the meeting.
“I am aware of the problem and we are working hard to resolve it. “The MMC confirmed that he would be present and I have proof that I called him today but I did not get a response,” said Mnisi.
A resident, Sibongile Khumalo said she had been waiting for years for a house to be allocated to her and said that she was living in a dangerous area. Khumalo is blind and fears for her life.
“A new home may give me a better life,” she said.
Other residents who live at the Chiawelo flats wanted to know when the flats would be revamped.
The housing crisis saw residents remaining angry and the community demanded another meeting as soon as possible. Mnisi said the meeting would be arranged at a date to be announced.
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