Minister Thembi Simelane has ordered the immediate relocation of uMlazi families who were affected by the mudslides recently
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The Minister of Human Settlements has issued a directive for the immediate relocation of households affected by mudslides in Section H, uMlazi.
Thembi Simelane made the call during her visit to the area last Wednesday, April 30, where she instructed the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to conduct structural integrity and geotechnical assessments to determine appropriate interventions for affected homes.
She was joined by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, as they visited the area to assess the damage caused by the recent heavy rains, leading to mudslides and the destruction of about 56 houses, which have been assessed thus far.
“Based on what I have seen with my naked eye, relocation of these households would be the best solution. While the assessment is conducted, the immediate task is to relocate about 56 families to Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA),” Ms Simelane said.
She directed that the relocation of the most affected families, begins within 48 hours, a process which is currently under way. As a long-term measure, the eThekwini Municipality and the KZN Department of Human Settlements will identify a suitable piece of land that will be used to permanently resettle the affected households.
The minister also urged the communities of the areas that might be identified, to warmly welcome affected households and not use the desperation of others to advance their interests.
Mr Duma added that he undertook to follow up on all the directives and commitments by the Minister without delay.
“Our responsibility is to house the nation. The decisions we take are based on the information available to us. The law and the policy expect us to prioritise the most vulnerable among us,” Ms Simelane said. “We are a responsive and caring government, we will ensure all commitments are implemented.”
The relocation began on Thursday May 1 as per the minister’s guidance.
She said they will announce the exact emergency accommodation facility where the families will be accommodated. The team is already working on the logistics, Mr Duma said.
Minister Simelane embarked on a two-day visit to KZN, where she also assessed progress on the unblocking of Thubalethu Informal Settlements Upgrading Project in Mthonjaneni Local Municipality, which falls within the northern coastal region of KZN.
The national department has allocated R61 million for bulk water services and an additional R19 million for the construction of water infrastructure in the region. The Minister also officially launched the Zwelibomvu Vumazonke Rural Housing Project in Ward 100, eMangangeni, under the eThekwini Municipality.
The project forms part of the government’s response to commitments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a Presidential Imbizo at Umgababa, in November 2024.