Philani Mavundla, Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, says the city is in talks with Jomo Sibiya, MEC for Human Settlements, to find a long-term solution to the issues faced by displaced flood victims.
Mavundla was speaking to a group of roughly 40 persons who claimed to be displaced flood victims from various eThekwini temporary shelters.
On Monday, the victims staged a sit-in at Durban City Hall to express their dissatisfaction.
Mavundla briefed the victims on the municipality’s support for the shelters, as well as the obstacles and procedures to be followed in resettling flood victims in safer dwellings.
He added the town has been providing a variety of support services to residents living in temporary shelters since the April floods. Hot meals, blankets, mattresses, medical services, and hygiene kits are among them.
“Together with the Department of Home Affairs, identity documents have been provided to enable families to access other government support interventions, such as grants and pensions. Importantly, the municipality is in the process of identifying suitable land for building homes. In some areas, this process is at an advanced stage.
“We understand the plight of those living in shelters. We also understand the urgency of resettling them in safe homes. We are already in discussions with the MEC for Human Settlements, Jomo Sibiya, to find a lasting solution to this challenge,” Mavundla said.
According to him, city officials are already profiling the demonstrators to identify if they are flood victims and what kind of help they require.