‘We need homes!’ – Aquadene residents urge

Tags

---

20-05-2025
Read : 23 times
Zululand Observer
Source

Ward 26 community feels excluded from Aquadene Housing Project despite construction to take place in their ‘backyard’

While the City of uMhlathuze has acknowledged ongoing concerns from some Ward 26 residents about the Aquadene Housing Project, they have reiterated that government housing projects are not limited to a single ward.

While some believe the project should serve their community exclusively, the city said it is open to qualifying residents from across the municipality.

This was revealed by the city in a statement last Thursday, on the progress of the Aquadene Housing Project’s beneficiary allocation process, in light of recent allegations of manipulation of the beneficiary list.

The municipality explained that the Aquadene Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) encompasses the distribution of 615 RDP houses; 600 allocated among 24 municipal wards with 25 beneficiaries per ward.

The extra 15 houses are designated for special cases from Richards Bay, eSikhaleni, eNseleni and KwaDlangezwa.

“Beneficiaries were selected through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) war rooms using profiling forms and relevant supporting documentation,” said the city in a statement.

“This process guaranteed adherence to key priority categories, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, child-headed households, and those who have been displaced or are living in informal settlements.

“Following verification and amendments by ward councillors, the final list of 597 potential beneficiaries was approved by Council on 27 June 2024.

“The list was published for public comment in Eyethu Bay Watch on 24 November 2024, in line with relevant provincial and municipal policies.

“Nine objections were received, primarily from wards 6, 15, 20 and 26. These objections are being reviewed by the municipality’s Dispute Resolution Committee,” said the statement.

Policy challenge

African Movement Congress (AMC Roy) chairperson for the City of uMhlathuze, Ethan Ramkuar, who began probing the housing list published in November, challenged the process, adding that the Ward 26 community, where the houses are being built, has been sidelined.

“As a community activist, we will engage with the Department of Human Settlements; we believe it is only they who have power over this current housing situation,” said Ramkuar.

“We call for the people of Ward 26 to not be sidelined but rather treated with respect, and ask politicians and parties not to use the housing project to garner votes.

“We call for transparency and we fight for people in power to do the right thing.

“Human settlements said the project may begin at the end of 2028, but rumours that it will start in November this year are circulating. This is what’s fooling people.

“We will invite human settlements KZN and they must give us truthful answers.

“We don’t trust or believe in the city’s current administration, we would rather hear from the department ourselves,” he said.

Meanwhile, community leader Pastor Roland Forbay, who has been campaigning for the plight of housing for Ward 26 residents, said many families are suffering owing to lack of housing in Aquadene and Brackenham.