eThekwini's response to the 2022 floods: Promises of 1000 houses to be built by June
The eThekwini Municipality is expecting to provide over 1,000 housing units by June 2026 for those whose homes were damaged by the 2022 floods in Durban.
During an oversight visit to the Cornubia Housing Development Project, north of Durban, eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba stated that more than 113 houses are currently under construction at Cornubia, forming part of over 1,200 units earmarked specifically for the victims of the floods.
The KwaZulu-Natal coastal area and surrounding areas were hit by the devastating floods that occurred between April and May 2022.
These floods resulted in 443 deaths, damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, schools, and health centres, disruption of services and displacement of people.
Xaba explained that of the units presently under construction, 103 houses are scheduled for completion by the end of March 2026, with the remainder set to be finalised in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Beyond permanent housing, the municipality said it is also prioritising interim solutions. More than 400 Temporary Residential Units will be constructed in Cornubia to accommodate residents currently living in Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA) sites and transit camps while permanent structures are completed.
In addition, the refurbishment of 500 units at Montclair Lodge is nearing finalisation, further boosting the City’s emergency housing capacity.
Xaba said that to prevent delays once construction is complete, the municipality is fast-tracking connections to essential services, including water, sanitation, and electricity.
“The broader Cornubia Housing Project forms part of the City’s long-term human settlements strategy and caters to multiple beneficiary categories. These include social housing for rental, Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) homes, and first home finance subsidy beneficiaries,” explained Xaba.
Rory Macpherson, Democratic Alliance (DA) eThekwini Ward 102 councillor, remained resolute that the housing projects were delayed and repeatedly exceeded budgets. He added that neighbouring informal settlements like Blackburn, Parkgate and Riet River should be given priority.
“There is a suggestion that current informal settlement sites should be developed into housing projects instead of moving people from one area to another. There is such a rush to build these house because of political pressure, that vital details are overlooked,” he said.
Macpherson said there were no street names ten years down the line, and neither have any secondary schools been built.
Xaba added that in line with the government’s sustainable human settlements framework, the development includes a range of social amenities such as a school, community hall, trading stalls, sports facilities, and a clinic.
In a report to the KZN Legislature Human Settlements Portfolio Committee, the department recorded that it had spent R185 million on TEA rental for flood victims from December 2022 to December 2024, and an additional R128 million for every 12 months thereafter.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za