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Mthatha in the Eastern Cape
Plans by the Eastern Cape government to relocate Mthatha flood victims to Maydene Farm have been met with resistance.
The King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality has identified a piece of land at Maydene Farm, where it plans to erect close to 200 shelters.
But the community of Maydene Farm is opposed to the idea. The affected residents are currently placed at churches, community halls and bed and breakfasts.
However, community members are opposed to the idea of being relocated to another area.
VIDEO | EC flood victims assured of relocation
One of the concerned residents, Nosicelo Nombewu, says their opposition stems from past experiences with outsiders committing crimes, leading to safety concerns.
“There were bungalows that were erected near the school and people were temporarily placed there, but permanent shelters were being built for them. When they moved to their permanent units, strangers occupied the bungalows and started dealing in drugs. We are scared to even send our kids to the shops.”
The municipality concedes that residents’ concerns are valid and will be considered.
Mayor Nyaniso Nelani says they are not taking the issues lightly.
“All the issues which have been raised are taken very seriously, including this issue of security in which the government is working towards a plan to ensure that no random people or criminals infiltrate the new dwellings through screenings.”
Cooperative Governance MEC Zolile Williams urged the communities to work with government in rolling out its plans to assist the victims stating that they will pursue legal avenues to override the residents’ objections if they with their resistance.
“The KSD municipality social facilitation to tackle the challenges. This resistance poses a real threat to the timely roll-out of the provincial government’s resettlements plan. We urge all community members to allow processes to proceed uninterrupted so that homeless families can be relocated to safe land without delay.”
