By Anita Dangazele
- The municipality says it will not take responsibility for flood victims who refuse to leave the B&Bs.
- Twenty temporary homes have been built at Maydene Farm, and more are coming as officials push to relocate all displaced families.
Some flood victims in Mthatha are refusing to leave the bed and breakfasts where they’ve been staying, despite being told the deadline to move out was 31 July.
The O.R Tambo District Municipality says lease agreements with the B&Bs have ended, and most families have already left. But a few are still occupying the rooms.
“While most families are relocating from the B&Bs as planned, a small group continues to occupy the Bed & Breakfast facility, despite being clearly informed that the contract has ended,” the municipality said in a statement.
“It is deeply concerning that some families have chosen to remain in the B&Bs against our guidance and beyond the official accommodation period. This refusal not only places them in danger but also creates an untenable quagmire, undermining the collective recovery effort.”
Officials say they will no longer be responsible for those who choose to stay behind.
The municipality has built 20 temporary housing units at Maydene Farm. They plan to finish four more units each day until all the families have a place to go.
Some families have already moved to the O.R Tambo Hall in Southernwood.
A long-term plan is also underway. The municipality, together with the Department of Human Settlements, is meeting on 6 August to work out permanent housing. They’ve already identified land for 470 homes across sites including Maydene Farm, Kwa-Link village and Tracor.
Meanwhile, the South African Social Security Agency has spent more than R20-million on helping the flood victims. But it has now stopped providing daily hot meals.
The provincial government says the relocation process is ongoing, even though there have been delays.
Pictured above: Devastating floods left thousands of people homeless in Mthatha.
Image source: Facebook
