Human Settlements Minister Visits KZN Flood Victims Amid Housing Dispute

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane will visit flood-affected areas in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday and Wednesday to assess the destruction caused by recent torrential rains. The province has been hit hard, with at least seven people confirmed dead and others still missing.

Heavy rainfall left a trail of destruction across eThekwini and other parts of the province, washing away homes and leaving many residents displaced. The disaster has intensified the urgency for permanent housing solutions, but plans to construct low-cost homes for flood victims have met resistance in some communities.

Simelane’s visit comes amid a standoff between the provincial Department of Human Settlements and some residents of Shallcross, Chatsworth, who oppose the development of state-owned land for flood relief housing. A recent community meeting on the issue escalated when gunshots were fired into the air, allegedly by aggrieved residents protesting the project.

The minister will be accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba. She is scheduled to receive a briefing on the government’s response to the disaster and long-term housing plans before meeting with flood victims and bereaved families in Lamontville, one of the worst-hit areas.

The visit will include an inspection of the Transitional Emergency Accommodation (temporary shelters) provided for displaced residents. Officials will also assess the proposed relocation site in Georgedale, where permanent homes are planned for affected families.

On Wednesday, Simelane will visit the Ncube and Nkwanyana families in KwaMakhutha, who lost loved ones during the flooding. She will then travel to Umdoni and Ray local municipalities to assess the impact of the disaster on these areas.

As heavy rains continue to threaten communities across KwaZulu-Natal, government leaders face increasing pressure to provide long-term solutions for displaced residents while addressing concerns from local communities about land use and housing developments.

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