Francesca Villette
and Jason Felix
FAMILIES evicted from land owned by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) three weeks ago have started to re-settle there and, with the help of contractors, rebuilt their shacks yesterday.
Father of three Bavuyile Nsabamb was ecstatic that he and his family would again have a place to stay.
Nsabamb, his wife and their children had stayed in the Nomzamo Community Hall with other evictees for three weeks.
“It was cold and uncomfortable in (the hall). Having three small children made it even worse. My wife struggled to take good care of them,” Nsabamb said yesterday as he and a few friends rebuilt his shack.
Nsabamb’s family was one of about 200 families who received building materials from the city.
The city delivered the emergency housing starter structures last week.
“When we are done with mine, I will help them (friends) build theirs. I am so happy,” he said.
The resettlement of Lwandle evictees
followed an agreement between Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille and Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to return about 800 residents to the area where they would stay until they were accommodated in a new city housing project in Macassar.
De Lille’s spokeswoman, Pierrinne Leukes, said details of the project would be released once the proposed plans were discussed with Macassar residents.
Some Macassar residents opposed to Lwandle families moving to the area took to the streets on Tuesday and clashed violently with the police. Several protesters were arrested.
Leukes said De Lille would meet residents today.
Sisulu, who had set up an inquiry to investigate the Lwandle evictions, said the construction of the emergency houses must be fast-tracked and that evictees still staying at Nomzamo Community Hall should be accommodated by Sunday.
The Housing Development Agency (HDA) would oversee the building of structures.
“I have instructed the HDA to make sure we complete the relocation of the people as a matter of urgency. From there the mayor of the City of Cape Town has promised us that the families, those who qualify, will be allocated permanent homes in different projects of the City of Cape Town,” Sisulu said.
At a council sitting yesterday, De Lille said the housing issue in Lwandle was a mess.
“ Ja, dit was ’n gemors(Yes, it was a mess). At the start of winter Sanral evicted people off the land,” De Lille said.
“We were the only sphere of government which stepped in to help the affected people. We had to step in and help solve the problem.”
In her statement, she condemned Tuesday’s violent protests in Macassar and in Mew Way in Khayelitsha.
“The protests have destroyed infrastructure and disrupted communities. We will not allow thuggery to continue,” she said.
“We have spent more than R21 million on damaged municipal infrastructure.”