By Phenyo Selinda
Cape Town — Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has urgently deployed an emergency housing team to assist families displaced by the recent collapse of a dam wall in the Swartland Municipality, Western Cape. The disaster has left numerous households in dire need of shelter and support.
Minister Kubayi emphasised that an ongoing assessment of the situation will determine the necessary interventions for all affected families. The department offers four main categories of assistance: restoration, relocation, rebuilding, and repairs.
“We have directed the team to ensure that the affected households are assisted with emergency accommodation, particularly the vulnerable groups. It is unfortunate that we now have to deal with this incident, while we are still reeling from another recent disaster that left people homeless,” Kubayi stated.
In response to the crisis, families whose homes were impacted by last week’s flooding in Riverlands are currently being sheltered at the Riverlands Community Bakery Centre and Riverlands Church. The department is working closely with local authorities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide immediate relief.
Minister Kubayi noted the concerns of approximately 100 displaced individuals who are hesitant to relocate to safer temporary accommodation due to their need to care for their livestock. This highlights the complexities of providing emergency housing in rural areas, where livelihoods are closely tied to land and animals.
The National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC), which is part of the disaster response team, is already on site. The council will assess the structural integrity of the damaged properties once the water levels recede, ensuring that any rebuilding efforts are safe and sustainable.
The department also extended its gratitude to the NGOs that have swiftly stepped in to assist the victims, underscoring the critical role of community organisations in disaster response.
Commitment to Transparency in Housing Allocation
In a separate engagement, Minister Kubayi reiterated her department’s commitment to transparency in the allocation of houses and the execution of other housing programmes within the human settlements sector. Speaking during an interview on the Power FM breakfast show last week, Kubayi addressed concerns about fraud and corruption, particularly in the allocation of fully subsidised houses, known as Breaking New Ground (BNG).
“We are rectifying and reconfiguring our human settlements delivery system. Digitising the beneficiary list system is our main priority because it will radically improve our operations as a department,” Kubayi said. She added that the department has been allocated over R31 billion for the current financial year, with every cent expected to be accounted for to restore the dignity of the poor and vulnerable in South Africa.
The Minister’s appearance on Power FM coincided with Women’s Month, and she used the platform to invite listeners to share their suggestions on how to enhance the delivery of sustainable human settlements. The discussion brought up various issues, including the government’s response to land invasions, the need to ensure that BNG houses are allocated to the rightful beneficiaries, and the importance of addressing blocked housing projects.
During the show, Kubayi also interviewed key figures, such as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, and the Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike. The conversations focused on critical social issues, including justice for women and the rising challenge of teenage pregnancy in South Africa.
Download Here:
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #freestate