Three years after a local councillor instructed inhabitants of an informal settlement near Berlin to demolish their shacks to make way for proper houses, residents are still waiting to move into their “new homes”.
More than 120 unused toilet structures erected in an open field are the only sign the state had plans to build houses for the dwellers of Lingelitsha informal settlement.
The community is now housed in temporary structures in the rural town of Berlin.
They claim they were told when they moved in 2012 that their new houses would be ready in six months.
Three years down the line, nothing has materialised and now their temporary homes in New Town are developing problems.
During a Dispatch visit last week it was discovered some structures had broken floors and doors, cracked walls, while others leaked and flooded when it rained.
The structures are home to more than 170 families, with some housing as many as 10 people.
According to community leader Phumlani Khwaza, the toilets at Lingelitsha were erected “about two decades ago” as government planned to construct houses.
“We were later told the land was not suitable as there was water running underneath.
“In 2011 we were asked by our councillor to demolish all structures and to move as land was going to be identified for our housing development.
“We were told we were going to stay at these temporal houses for not more than six months. But we are still waiting,” Khwaza said.
He added that his community was losing patience and was contemplating asking the provincial government to intervene.
During the visit, the Dispatch team was also told of how living conditions were affecting people’s health.
Seventy-five-year-old Nomathemba Khomna, who shares space with four grandchildren, has huge cracks in her dwelling. She says she had been sick since she moved to the area.
“These houses are very cold in winter and very hot on sunny days. Since I moved here, I have been admitted to hospital numerous times due to never-ending flu, chest pains and asthma attacks.
“I think I will die soon if the government does not provide us with proper houses,” she said.
Her neighbour, 66-year-old Nomati Mora, tells a similar story. Her house features various cracks and her floor is broken which allows rain water and heavy winds to prey on her and her family of seven.
“Children are sickly, while I am also on constant medication due to these gruesome conditions,” said Mora.
Norexe on Friday said council was “prioritising” finding land for these dwellers. He said the metro had been struggling to find suitable land, “as it only owns about 4% of the available land”.
He said the community was moved from Lingelitsha “as the place was flooding and unsuitable for habitation”.
“We have been doing everything in our power to find land,” said Norexe.
He said the toilets at Lingelitsha were built “long before my term started in 2011”, and that he was not aware if an environment assessment had been conducted or not before they were built.
BCM spokesman Thanduxolo Matebese failed to respond to questions by the time of writing.
Residents in wilderness as temporary homes fall apart
More than 120 unused toilet structures erected in an open field are the only sign the state had plans to build houses for the dwellers of Lingelitsha informal settlement.
The community is now housed in temporary structures in the rural town of Berlin.
They claim they were told when they moved in 2012 that their new houses would be ready in six months.
Three years down the line, nothing has materialised and now their temporary homes in New Town are developing problems.
During a Dispatch visit last week it was discovered some structures had broken floors and doors, cracked walls, while others leaked and flooded when it rained.
The structures are home to more than 170 families, with some housing as many as 10 people.
According to community leader Phumlani Khwaza, the toilets at Lingelitsha were erected “about two decades ago” as government planned to construct houses.
“We were later told the land was not suitable as there was water running underneath.
“In 2011 we were asked by our councillor to demolish all structures and to move as land was going to be identified for our housing development.
“We were told we were going to stay at these temporal houses for not more than six months. But we are still waiting,” Khwaza said.
He added that his community was losing patience and was contemplating asking the provincial government to intervene.
During the visit, the Dispatch team was also told of how living conditions were affecting people’s health.
Seventy-five-year-old Nomathemba Khomna, who shares space with four grandchildren, has huge cracks in her dwelling. She says she had been sick since she moved to the area.
“These houses are very cold in winter and very hot on sunny days. Since I moved here, I have been admitted to hospital numerous times due to never-ending flu, chest pains and asthma attacks.
“I think I will die soon if the government does not provide us with proper houses,” she said.
Her neighbour, 66-year-old Nomati Mora, tells a similar story. Her house features various cracks and her floor is broken which allows rain water and heavy winds to prey on her and her family of seven.
“Children are sickly, while I am also on constant medication due to these gruesome conditions,” said Mora.
Norexe on Friday said council was “prioritising” finding land for these dwellers. He said the metro had been struggling to find suitable land, “as it only owns about 4% of the available land”.
He said the community was moved from Lingelitsha “as the place was flooding and unsuitable for habitation”.
“We have been doing everything in our power to find land,” said Norexe.
He said the toilets at Lingelitsha were built “long before my term started in 2011”, and that he was not aware if an environment assessment had been conducted or not before they were built.
BCM spokesman Thanduxolo Matebese failed to respond to questions by the time of writing.
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