A group of residents from Votsho informal settlement in Nkanini, Khayelitsha, have lambasted the City, accusing it of negligence after allegedly leaving them stranded.
Nkanini relocation delay leaves residents stranded
At least 29 residents were left without shelter after removing their shacks from Votsho following instructions to relocate from a wetland in the area to Nkanini Upgrade Project.
Residents claim the City abandoned them after instructing them to dismantle their structures.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of harassment, said the City had misled them. He explained that they were initially supposed to be relocated on Sunday 3 May, but the move was postponed to Tuesday 5 May, due to bad weather.
Protest erupts as residents block Baden Powell Road
“We waited for the City’s trucks to arrive from 07:00 to collect our building materials until after 10:00. When no one came, we decided to carry our materials ourselves and blocked Baden Powell Road to stop motorists,” he said.
He added that City officials eventually arrived with trucks and transported their materials to the new site.
The resident further alleged that the City had promised to provide new building materials, including 10 zinc sheets, eight purlins, 12 rafters and packets of four-inch and six-inch nails, but had failed to deliver. He expressed concern that their belongings would be exposed if the weather changed and rain started.
READ ALSO: Khayelitsha’s Votsho shack dwellers still in mess, lost faith in City of Cape Town
Families rebuild with old materials amid uncertainty
When City Vision visited the new site on Wednesday 6 May, some residents were rebuilding their shacks using old materials, while others were still waiting for the promised supplies.
A few hours later, Ward 95 councillor Ayanda Tetani confirmed that he was on-site delivering building materials.
City responds to Nkanini relocation concerns
Explaining the delay, Tetani said there had been a misunderstanding between the community and the City. He stated that the relocation was originally scheduled for Thursday 7 May.
“The City had not arranged transport or law enforcement to escort the trucks. Residents were not supposed to remove their shacks on Tuesday 5 May, without official permission. However, they proceeded on their own,” he said.
He added that the relocation forms part of the Nkanini Upgrade Project, which aims to move residents from wetland areas to fully serviced sites.
