Pretoria - Impatient Mamelodi flood victims are losing hope of being relocated to safer land as the EFF and ActionSA clash over a “broken promise” to relocate the shack dwellers to new found land.
The shack dwellers of 77 Bufferlake informal settlement lost their valuables, important documents and homes several times due to heavy rains that has washed away their low-lying settlement since 2019 and they wish to be relocated before this summer’s rainy season sets in.
This comes as the EFF tackled MMC for Human Settlements and ActionSA council leader Abel Tau for apparently failing to deliver on his promise to move them to new land by October.
In August, they welcomed news from Tau when he said his counterpart at provincial government, MEC Lebogang Maile, wrote to his office to confirm the purchase of land to house the flood victims in Region 5 and 6.
Theirs is a story of many years that has seen the attention of the local and provincial spheres, governments and political parties that stressed the importance of finding the flood victims alternative land.
Tau said the land, 472 hectares, was expected to accommodate 15 700 stands for the displaced community members, and those still living in temporary dwellings.
EFF regional chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu said they were dismayed at the “dishonourable” conduct of Tau for purposefully misleading the community of Mamelodi into believing they would be relocated to safer ground by October. “Like father, like son. The MMC drew inspiration from the pathological lies of the treacherous executive mayor Randall Williams, who initially promised the residents of Mamelodi would be relocated to a safer environment to avert any further flood catastrophes.
“The residents of Mamelodi were severely affected in 2019 and 2022 when floods devastated their area. The extent of the floods resulted in fatalities, quite memorably in the loss of Lucas Maisela Mashaba who died during floods.
“The sense of indifference displayed by MMC Tau on the plight of the residents means they face the possibility of more deaths and displacement to temporary accommodation in churches, libraries and public halls should the rain start pouring down any time now.”
Ramabodu said it was surprising that the City did not prioritise the people of Mamelodi in its budget plans, but chose to direct funds to the suburbs, including a R25 million budget for Centurion Lake.
But Tau rubbished the claims as untrue, malicious, a publicity stunt, and not because the EFF genuinely cares about the flood victims.
He said his department had regular engagements with relevant stakeholders, including EFF members, councillors and the affected people, with a view to provide progress updates but the EFF has deliberately withheld information in that the delay in the transfer of the land to the City was caused by the passing of the plot owner.
“His estate, including the land in question, is now administered by the Master’s Office. We are working diligently to get power of attorney to access the plot, and we are tracking this process weekly.
“The City has done everything in its power to relocate the flood victims. This does not only apply to flood victims but other affected people who reside in danger zones throughout Tshwane. In retrospect, it is ironic that the EFF wishes to paint myself and the City as uncaring while they are the ones who continually encourage vulnerable people to illegally invade land, including land not suitable for habitation.”
Residents Monibisi Gcakeni and his wife Nolungenlo said they had been living in the shacks for 11 years and they were tired of waiting for a better location and all the politics and claims about who cares the most.
“We are tired and we just want to be relocated to good and proper stands. We gave the City all our documents. We have lost our shack numerous times.
“We just want to be moved. That would make us very happy. I share this small shack with my wife and brother. I lost everything because of these floods.
“We are hopeful that they will deliver because they do keep us updated through our community leaders,” said Gcakeni.
Pretoria News