By Nkosenhle Sibisi
EThekwini Deputy Mayor, Councillor Philani Mavundla met with Westville community members and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the way forward on the issue of flood victims from Annet Drive in Reservoir Hills who are currently staying at Truro Hall in Westville. The meeting was held on Tuesday, 17 May.
Other relevant stakeholders who were in attendance include, Ward 30 Councillor, Warren Burne, Chairperson of Community Services committee, Cllr Zama Sokabase, Head of Human Settlements, Lawrence Pato, Community Service’s Musa Gumede and a representative of Disaster Management.
Cllr Burne said: “The concerns raised by Westville residents was whether a new influx of displaced people are to be accommodated at Truro Hallo. This is after Westville residents had seen a load of 75 mattresses being delivered to Truro Hall. None of the officials present were able to inform the meeting of the reason for the delivery of the new mattresses and it is worrying for the Westville residents. The meeting ended on the basis that the feedback will be awaited from the Reservoir Hills steering committee.”
Human Settlement’s Lawrence Pato said that the Reservoir Hills Steering Committee had a meeting on Monday, 9 May and a follow up meeting on 12 May to find a way forward
“The representatives of the Reservoir Hills residents at the meeting had agreed to discuss with residents the proposals which the municipality had tabled at the meeting. The Reservoir Hills committee is due to meet on Wednesday, 18 May to discuss the way forward,” said Pato.
Former eThekwini deputy mayor, and a Westville resident, Fawiza Peer said that the meeting was not with a commitment of moving the displaced people but giving the residents clarity on whether more people will be moved in to Truro Hall and what are the plans moving forward.
“At the meeting, it was shared that the land Reservoir Hills initially assumed for use was reconsidered by the Reservoir Hills community for use by the displaced families. However, a land survey and evaluation are underway. A meeting on Wednesday, 18 May will have concluded about the use of land. Another issue raised by the residents was how long before the relocation. It was discovered that once concluded, the form of infrastructure will be based on temporary housing which is usually put up within a week,” said Peer.
