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TUESDAY 23 February 2021 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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As of the end of last week, more than 440 emergency structures have been handed over to fire victims in Masiphumelele. Pictured are officials of the Department of Human Settlements with subcouncil 16 proportional representative Patricia Franke.PHOTO: RACINE EDWARDES
MASIPHUMELELE MASIPHUMELELE
Troublemakers ‘a rumour’ RACINE EDWARDES RACINE.EDWARDES@MEDIA24.COM @RAEEDWARDES
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ast week, at the walkabout of the emergency structures in Masiphumelele with Western Cape minister of human settlements Tertuis Simmers, both the City of Cape Town and the provincial department said they were keeping a close eye on progress made and potential troublemakers. The walkabout took place on Tuesday 16 February, during which Simmers and the subcouncil 16 proportional representative (PR) councillor Patricia Franke engaged with residents who had been housed on Site 5 where a fire broke out on Thursday 17 December last year. Sinovuyo Mbana, one of the first 10 residents, said: “It’s good because for almost a month I was staying at somebody’s house and it’s not nice when you’re used to having your own space.” The mother of four was placed on a priority list after her family was identified as having special needs. Even though Mbana, who lost everything in the devastating fire, has her own challenges to contend with, the mother said she was worried about the people who had not yet received emergency housing. As
of the end of last week, more than 440 emergency structures had been handed over, with interior items being donated by several organisations, including Living Hope. Mbana told Simmers: “I’m worried about the people who don’t have houses to stay because it’s like they want to do something – cause some trouble. What is the MEC doing about that?” In response, Simmers said: “This is the first portion – because there were 1 100 structures that burnt down – you are the first 440. Then the balance – as we agreed with the community leaders and national and City of Cape Town – will be temporarily located at the sports field.” He emphasised that the structures were temporary, and that other solutions were on the way. “We’ve commenced with statutory processes, and upon conclusion, we will commence with long-term housing solutions for the most vulnerable and qualifying residents, by providing permanent shelter through the use of Sustainable Building Technology (SBT’s).” With regards to the possibility of those who are not yet in homes “causing trouble”, Franke explained that this idea was merely a rumour which had been followed by a “politically-motivated” Facebook post. The post stated that victims of the fire who had not yet received homes intended to erect
shacks in Ocean View. Franke said she had quelled rumours quickly with a text to Ocean View residents. “For the years that I’ve worked in Masiphumelele, and the years I’ve worked with the people, they would never go and put up shacks in Ocean View. It’s not The aftermath of the protest on Kommetjie Road last weekend. true.” Tensions broke on Friday 20 February when residents of MasiphumeSimmers added: lele took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction at the “Wherever we’ve seen allocation of housing for fire victims. PHOTO: ASLAM RICHARDS disasters happen, we’ve seen a small group with criminal intent course of last week. pop up. You will recall immediately after this “A fence on the wetland boundary has also disaster between myself, the national minis- been erected so that the wetland is protected ter (of human settlements) and (Mayco mem- while ensuring houses are not flooded during ber for human settlements) MMC Booi, we the winter rainy season,” a statement read. have continuously said the community that Franke also told residents that the City has been affected need to be very wary of would be finalising measures to install electhat.” The construction of the new temporary trical supply to each of the units soon. structures commenced late in January. Since Tensions did however flair up on Friday 20 then, the provincial Department of Human February when residents protested the housSettlements noted in a statement that the pri- ing allocation by obstructing movement on mary water line had been re-instated within Kommetjie Road using boulders. The City’s the newly demarcated access tracks, along disaster management unit was on site yesterwith the installation of 32 chemical toilets day, Monday 22 February, to remove the rubwith a further 40 being delivered over the ble.