It has been over 24 hours since the flood victims were evicted from Bayside Hotel, leaving them stranded on the streets without shelter. Political party representatives have stepped in to assist by providing fruit and checking on their wellbeing, but there is still no tangible solution regarding where they will be housed.
The victims, who were displaced during the February 2025 floods, are refusing to be accommodated in a homeless shelter or community hall. They argue that such facilities do not offer privacy or sufficient space for families to live with dignity.
Spokesperson for the Department of Human Settlements, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said the MEC urgently travelled to Gauteng to meet with the National Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, to resolve the situation. According to Sibiya, the delay in payment to the hotel was due to the R185 million budget allocated to accommodate flood victims being exhausted. An additional R128 million is now required to continue housing efforts.
“About 1,200 displaced victims were being housed at various hotels. Until the funds are made available, the victims are urged to temporarily accept accommodation at the Chesterville Community Hall,” said Sibiya.
He added that the department has received reports suggesting that some victims have been advised against moving to the community hall, which could delay the process of securing permanent housing.
“MEC Duma said it is unfortunate that there are individuals within the group who are mobilising others against any move to Chesterville. There are terrified individuals who have informed us that they have been intimidated and forced not to relocate. This is unacceptable, especially when children have been left exposed to cold weather overnight and throughout the morning,” Sibiya said.
He acknowledged that delays in the procurement and approval processes — intended to avoid audit issues and irregular expenditure — contributed to the victims’ eviction. “We met with the Human Rights Commission last week and presented this matter to them,” he added.
Sibiya also said the department had identified state-owned land in areas like Shallcross where houses could have already been built, but local communities chased away contractors attempting to start construction.
“During Nelson Mandela Month, we must promote Ubuntu. Resistance from some communities to the resettlement of flood victims on government-owned land near their homes, under what is commonly known as the ‘Not in My Backyard’ syndrome, must come to an end. The reality is that the government cannot rebuild homes on unsuitable land where houses were previously washed away during floods,” Sibiya said.
Ward 26 ANC councillor Sibusiso Lushaba has arranged for mobile toilets to be placed at the scene to assist the victims, but this gesture was met with frustration. Victims felt that it indicated preparations for them to spend another night on the streets.
One victim, who asked not to be named, said she felt abandoned by the state. “The government of South Africa has failed us. How can they allow the elderly, breastfeeding mothers, and children to sleep on the street, exposed to criminals? We can’t even close our eyes for fear that our belongings will be stolen. We are already targets for criminals roaming the streets. We need a solution urgently. The nights are cold, and someone could die from exposure or hunger.”
As of now, no solution has been found. This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
