KwaZulu-Natal flood victims whose homes were partially destroyed during the April 2022 floods, and who have not yet been able to rebuild or receive any assistance from the government, said that the summer season brings anxiety to their families and creates uncertainty about whether they will survive the next floods or not.

Zanele Mtshali, a resident of Ward 45, Lindelani area, under the eThekwini Municipality, said that her eight-room home, which has been in existence since the 1980s, was partially destroyed in 2022.

“When it rains, water seeps in. My house is now mostly a shack, and it is not by choice. Only two rooms were not damaged. If I had money, I would have already rebuilt my home instead of waiting for the government’s assistance. But what I earn through piece jobs is only enough to ensure that my children don’t go to bed on an empty stomach,” she said. 

Mtshali said that some community members received building materials from the ward councillor, while she and others did not. 

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“We have repeatedly appealed to the ward councillor, but assistance has not been forthcoming. Many of us have become members of Abahlali baseMjondolo, the shack dwellers movement, because we have been disappointed by the government, and we are already feeling the pain of living in half a shack,” Mtshali said.

Mafi Zondi, the Ward 45 councillor said she is aware of Mtshali’s situation and many other community members. 

“The reason we have not been able to help everyone is that my ward only received one batch of building material from the eThekwini Municipality, which was not enough to cover all flood victims in the area.”

Thandazile Muthwa, a resident of Ntuzuma H in eThekwini, whose home was partially destroyed during the 2022 floods, said that she has also not received any assistance.

“We were asked to register with the ward councillor following the flood damage, and pictures of the houses were taken. However, we have not received building materials. We had a six-room house; now we are all staying in one room. There are six of us, including kids. My partner passed away sometime after the floods. I am unemployed, but I help look after my neighbours’ children,” Muthwa said.

She has appealed for assistance in rebuilding her home.

eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said there is no programme to repair privately-owned homes.  

Sisilana said that the City is only able to assist those who meet the housing subsidy criteria, specified by the national policy prescript.

The criteria require that the applicant must: “Lawfully reside in South Africa (i.e. citizen of the Republic of South Africa or in possession of a permanent residence permit). Certified copies of the relevant documents must be submitted with the application. They must be legally competent to contract (i.e. over 18 years of age or legally married or legally divorced or declared competent by a court of law and of sound mind).”

Another requirement is that they must not have previously benefited from government housing assistance, including spouses, unless such property was acquired through the Land Restitution Programme.

If they previously owned fixed residential property, such a person may only qualify for the purchase of a vacant serviced site.

They must either: “Be married or habitually cohabiting, be a single person who has financial dependents. Be single-aged persons, disabled persons, or military veterans. They must earn a monthly income in the range as approved by the National Department of Human Settlements,” Sisilana said.

gcwalisile.khanyile@inl.co.za

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