By Lungani Zungu
Residents from the Umlazi G section have been angered by RDP houses being built in their local recreational park.
Residents are now pitted against each other as some want the houses demolished while others are defending those who have already occupied the RDPs.
Angry residents, including Thulani Msomi, lodged complaints with local councillor Khumbulani Cele.
“I’m confused as to why they build RDP houses in a public space. Where will our kids play now that the park is covered in RDP houses? This doesn’t make any sense to me,” said Msomi.
Khuzokwakhe Makhathini, a resident, said those occupying the houses have prevented kids from playing in the area.
“Our kids can’t play as the people in the houses sometimes chase them away, telling them they are making noise. I don’t know how this mess will be fixed,” said Makhathini.
Scrolla.Africa understands that the houses were built by a construction company owned by businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize of Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport, around 2015.
In defence of the RDP houses, local resident Sibongile Ngcobo said: “I don’t know how people are always going on about these houses because many meetings were called where the matter was discussed.”
Scrolla.Africa visited the park and found a few kids playing.
A resident, who did want to be named, suggested that the matter be taken to the municipality.
“If they have a problem with these RDP houses, they should go to the municipality or the ward councillor’s office. We have been fighting over this for many years now,” said the resident.
Ward councillor Khumbulani Cele said he knew some people were against the houses.
“I will investigate the matter myself and get to the bottom of this,” said Cele, who has been a councillor since 2021.
*waiting for a response from eThekwini municipality*
Pictured above: RDP houses built in a park spark an outrage
Image source: Lungani Zungu
