More Delays for District 6 Claimants

Dear Editor

Nearly 10 months after the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) first delayed the handover of 108 units in District 6, 58 units have been issued ‘permission to use’ certificates while the national department has been given a year to fix a number of safety issues that the City of Cape Town has identified. It is now critical that the national department communicates with District 6 claimants exactly who will be allowed to return to their community, when these units will be available to them and when the Department plans on addressing the City’s safety concerns.

We have seen a disgraceful lack of urgency from the national department in bringing justice and restitution to this community. Despite continually moving the goal post for themselves, the Department has constructed units which do not conform to National Building Regulations or their own building plans. The inadequate protection on staircases and balconies is dangerous particularly for the many elderly claimants who are meant to return to the area.

Despite the DALRRD attempting to shift the blame for the delay onto everything from the weather, to Covid-19 and the City of Cape Town, they remain the lead partner and ultimately are responsible for the restitution of District 6 claimants. I am also concerned that no timeline has been given for the other 50 units which have not been issued with ‘permission to use’ certificates. I, therefore, call on the DALRRD to act swiftly in addressing the safety concerns that the City has identified and to be honest and open with claimants about the process. With more than 20 years since ground first broke in District 6, justice has been delayed long enough and it is now time for claimants to return home.

Regards

Matlhodi Maseko, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Human Settlements

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