KZN govt finds land to build houses for flood displaced families

A general view of flood damaged homes in KwaNdengezi, Durban, South Africa.

1 minute

KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has announced that they have found land to build permanent houses for the 1 069 families displaced by floods in the province.

This includes the 41 families who were displaced by the February floods in Lamontville.

These families are currently living in 10 rented buildings called Transitional Emergency Accommodations.

Permanent houses for the flood victims will be built on seven parcels of land that have now been rezoned for residences.

In a statement, the KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements Department says they have had fruitful discussions with the Shallcross Ratepayers Association regarding the tension over the relocation of the flood victims to the area south of Durban.

Among the terms agreed upon with the ratepayers, service delivery and recreational space for the community has been prioritised.

The department says they will also work through King Misuzulu KaZwelithini to utilise land under the Ingonyama Trust to build homes for the flood victims.

The MEC is also urging communities not to build houses on riverbanks, wetlands and other areas that are prone to flooding as the impact of climate change intensifies.