Maitland residents are up in arms about new temporary housing units (TRUs) being erected at the Royal Road informal settlement with some saying people deserve “decent housing”.
The informal settlement situated adjacent to Maitland High School houses about 24 families.
The City of Cape Town is in the process of re-blocking the informal settlement with 28 new temporary dwellings to replace the existing structures.
But some residents have lamented the size of the structures. They say there has been no clear communication with them from the City.
Anna Soldaat has been living in the informal settlement for more than seven years. She says she has declined the structures because it is “so much smaller” than the dwelling she currently resides in.
“Why would I exchange the structure I am living in now for that small structure the City is building for us? I have a 21-year-old son, and younger kids. We cannot all be in one another’s space. If we move into those structures the City will have power over us. I don’t have any issues with some of the residents that have accepted the City’s offer to move into the zinc structures. But I will not move in there.”
Soldaat says during previous meetings with City officials they were informed that they will receive get structures.
“We were told that we will receive bigger units. We were shocked when they came here and started building these small dwellings. There is no communication with us. We were told it is temporary, how long is temporary and where do they place us if they move us from here?”
Jessica Fortuin says she’s been living on the site for more than seven years. She also declined occupancy of the zinc structure and says they are a family of 10 people.
“We cannot all fit into a 3 x 6 structure. I have an adult son, he needs his privacy. The structure we are currently living in is big enough for all of us.
“The City must just supply us with water, electricity and toilets.”
According to Fortuin, the new structures are a “fire hazard” because there is no adequate space between the units.
Fortuin also questioned whether the proper processes are being followed when allocating the houses.
“We don’t know what the procedure is and who qualifies for these structures. My sister has been living with me for about two years now, but she doesn’t qualify for the house. Yet there are people who have only lived here for about eight months, but they qualify. That’s unfair.”
Kashiefa Achmat, chair of the Housing Assembly, says they are not against the structures being erected but says people deserve decent housing.
“Why can’t the City build decent houses for the people? These structures are built on top of each other, what if a fire breaks out here? It’s like a concentration camp. The people are also unhappy because these zinc structures are so much smaller than the houses, they are currently living in.”
Achmat accuses the City of not being transparent.
“We want to know what will happen to the residents here who have declined occupation of the zinc structures. There is no communication with the residents.”
The Maitland Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) says as an organisation they are kept in the dark and have no idea that the structures are being erected.
Julian Bantham, assistant secretary of MRRA, says: “There was no engagement with us. Our ward councillor, Helen Jacobs, does not communicate with us about issues in the area. They are busy building these structures but as an association we know nothing about it. We want more transparency, especially from our ward councillor.”
Responding to the claims against her, Jacobs, who is a Ward 56 councillor, tells People’s Post: “When I go to Royal Road Camp the ratepayer’s association accompanies me there. We had been there when they started clearing the area to build.”
Responding to safety concerns she says: “They are not making fires because they will get electricity boxes. We had to build close to each other to accommodate all the people.”
Malusi Booi, Mayco member for human settlements, says the property is owned by the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG), which intends to build a Community Development Centre (CDC) on the property.
He says in order to proceed with development of the CDC, the informal area requires re-blocking in order to make room for the development.
“The WCG and City have identified an area on the same site, which will be used as a Temporary Relocation Area (TRA) in order for the development to proceed. The TRA includes access to basic services for residents.”
Responding to comments about residents being left in the dark, Booi says the City has engaged with residents as well as the MRRA through Jacobs.
Booi says 18 units are being built, which will accommodate 15 families. He adds that three extra units are to accommodate the larger families.
According to Booi, the project is set for completion at the end of this month.
Responding to safety concerns, Booi says the TRA will have an earthworked platform to assist and accommodate the storm water run-off in the area as well as access roads to ease entrance into the area.
“Re-blocking is an initiative in the City to provide better services in informal areas where density or other restrictive conditions do not allow for providing individual serviced sites.
“It provides for blocks separated by roads and pedestrian/service corridors, with electrification and communal taps and toilets provided per block.”
He says road access, electrification, fire-breaks, and fire hydrants “significantly reduce” fire risk in an area where re-blocking has been done.
