Residents of Nompumelelo township claim their homes are in danger of collapsing due to construction work at Beacon Bay Crossing.
An RDP house and five shacks have been abandoned by their owners, as the ground they are on has become unstable.
Other shacks not far from the development have reportedly developed cracks due to the ongoing work.
Beacon Bay Crossing is being developed by SKG Properties, owned by businessman Jean du Plessis.
Contacted for comment, company officials asked that questions be emailed to them but subsequently said they would only be able to respond by January 11 at the earliest.
Nolufefe Tshali of Nompumelelo township said her house was “sinking”.
“I don’t know why our councillor is waiting for a disaster to happen before he can rescue us from this,” said Tshali.
Another resident, Masixole Tshaka, said homeowners needed assistance urgently, and accused ward councillor Makhaya Bopi of dragging his feet.
“We are calling on him to stand up for his people, to help us,” said Tshaka.
Bopi, the Buffalo City Metro ward 29 councillor, said he had been working hard to try to resolve the matter.
“Those who are affected were given temporary homes and we are going to engage with the company more when they are back at site next week,” said Bopi.
“I know of the people’s complaints and we are working hard to find solutions to them.”
When a Daily Dispatch team visited the area, a section of a partially built retaining wall separating the construction site and homes had collapsed.
An RDP house belonging to Mthunzi Mhlumo and a shack belonging to Mtutuzeli Kampini had been abandoned.
Huge cracks were seen in the ground, while there were also cracks in the foundation of the RDP house.
Mhlumo said when the ground at his house started to collapse he was relocated to a temporary structure. “I am not happy,” said Mhlumo, adding that all he wanted was his house back.
“Imagine if this could happen to this developer’s house. He will sue everyone,” said Mhlumo.
“But why us? Is it because we are poor that people take advantage of us?”
Community leader Xolile Mxenge said they were fighting to protect their rights.
“It must be stated clearly that we fought hard for this land; no one will remove us or trample on our rights. We will fight on,” said Mxenge. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za