KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport purchases Montclair Lodge for displaced flood victims
Image: Supplied
IN A FORWARD-STEPPING move the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements has purchased a property that will aid its mission to house families that were displaced by recent floods that lashed the province.
It was the department's intention to avoid the practice of utilising privately owned property to accommodate displaced people.
MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed that the department he headed had purchased the Montclair Lodge from Transnet for R33 million — the facility, which includes 268 rooms with a bed capacity of 600, that will be repurposed to house over 150 evicted flood victims.
'We wish to announce that we have bought this facility, the Montclair Lodge, from Transnet,' Duma said, with regards to property where the official transfer of ownership took place on May 31.
'In other words, we will no longer use private facilities as part of the Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA),' he said.
The announcement comes after more than 150 flood victims were evicted from the Bayside Hotel in Durban's city center due to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements' failure to make payments.
The victims, who were originally displaced by devastating floods earlier this year, will now be temporarily housed at the Chesterville Community Hall.
The department previously said R185 million has already been paid to various hotels for emergency accommodations.
An additional R128 million was needed to accommodate 1,200 displaced individuals.
Many of the affected victims, who previously resided in various parts of the eThekwini Municipality, have been without permanent housing since the April 2022 floods.
Duma said the Montclair Lodge will be managed by the Housing Development Agency on behalf of his department.
'A professional engineer will be appointed before the end of the month to conduct a basic assessment, which will determine the scope of work for the refurbishment,' he said.
The department has allocated R4.2 million for the assessment and a minimum of R35 million for refurbishment. A contractor will be appointed immediately after the assessment report is completed.
Duma said it was anticipated that some flood victims would be able to reside at the lodge by possibly December or January.
'Our plan is to ensure that we are ready for heavy rainfall and flooding associated with the summer season,' he said.
'This milestone of a government-owned transitional emergency accommodation will drastically reduce the rent paid to privately owned transitional emergency accommodations.'
DAILY NEWS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Hope for change: Msunduzi ratepayers welcome Simon Mndebele's leadership
Msunduzi Municipality Manager, Simon Mndebele and Mzimkhulu Thebolla, Mayor of Msunduzi. Image: Msunduzi Municipality Msunduzi Municipality ratepayer associations are looking forward to a fresh and effective approach from new municipal manager Simon Mndebele to turn the city's fortunes around. Mndebele, who was appointed as the manager on Friday, was described by Mzimkhulu Thebolla, Msunduzi's mayor, as pivotal to reposition Msunduzi as a municipality that is responsive, financially stable, and people-centred. Mndebele previously served as a technical support expert for Msunduzi Municipality, deployed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). Mndebele also served as municipal manager at Govan Mbeki Local Municipality and director in its Corporate Services department at Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality. 'In this capacity, he led the development of the municipality's turnaround strategy, conducted diagnostic analyses, and helped establish critical performance oversight structures. His in-depth knowledge of Msunduzi's operational landscape provides a solid foundation for decisive leadership from day one,' Thebolla said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He added that with his leadership, Msunduzi aims to fast-track infrastructure development, improve basic services, strengthen financial controls, and restore institutional stability. Thebolla called upon all stakeholders to rally behind Mndebele and support his mission to lead a clean, capable, and service-driven administration. Jimmy Naidoo, chairperson of the Northern Areas Residents and Ratepayers Association (NARRA), stated that over the years, they have not had a municipal manager who has completed their term or addressed the core challenges that ratepayers face—particularly those related to billing systems, policy implementation, and credit control. 'We are hopeful that the newly appointed manager will take decisive and aggressive steps to fix the ongoing issues in the billing cycle. It is also crucial that accountability is enforced and that there are clear consequences for non-performance across all departments. We look forward to seeing whether he will bring a fresh and effective approach—one that finally delivers where others have fallen short,' Naidoo said. Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC) CEO Anthony Waldhausen is concerned that the Govan Mbeki municipality was issued with a disclaimer notice for three financial periods from 2017/2018, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020 by the Auditor General. Waldhausen stated that Msunduzi had a revolving door where municipal managers have not served their full terms of office. 'Did the selection committee for the municipal manager conduct a thorough due diligence report to ensure that no other red flags were missed? Since 2010, we have had over five municipal managers, some left with a cloud over their heads from supposed suspension, and then to have the suspension overturned or withdrawn,' Waldhausen said. Waldhausen called for a professional, effective, and competent municipal workforce that can provide service delivery and development to the citizens of Pietermaritzburg, but it must be free from any form of political interference and internal factionalism. The MARRC stated that they would work with Mndebele to turn the fortunes of Pietermaritzburg around for the better. 'We call on the mayor and council to allow the municipal manager to do his job without fear and favour,' said Waldhausen. Waldhausen said that MARRC submitted a discussion document on the White Paper on Local Government, calling for an overhaul of local government. 'One of the suggestions is to make the selection and appointment of the municipal manager and senior management positions to be done in the public space, and to have the selection and appointment of the municipal manager and senior management positions conducted in the public space,' he said.
eNCA
2 days ago
- eNCA
Government backs Transnet again
JOHANNESBURG - Transnet has secured almost R95-billion in government guarantees as part of efforts to revive its failing operations. Is it a worthwhile investment or a waste of money? READ: Government approves additional guarantees for Transnet Mark Evans a partner at Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm discussed the value of this investment with eNCA.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
MEC Siboniso Duma takes a stand against illegal RDP house sales in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma addresses rising concerns over the illegal sale of RDP houses in KwaZulu-Natal, urging community cooperation to combat criminal activities and protect vulnerable families. Image: File In response to rising complaints regarding the unauthorised sale of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses in KwaZulu-Natal, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma has pledged to take decisive action against any form of criminality associated with these government-built homes. The RDP initiative is designed to provide low-income South African families with access to decent housing. On Friday, Duma highlighted a rise in reports over the past few weeks from community members and councillors who are alarmed by the illegal transactions involving RDP houses. 'In particular, there has been a groundswell of complaints about the illegal selling of RDP houses to illegal foreign nationals in various parts of the province,' said Duma. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He said the department has also received a letter from the representatives of the March-and-March organisation in Nquthu within the Umzinyathi District Municipality requesting that he intervene as the executive authority. 'I am committed to acting firmly and decisively against any form of criminality to protect innocent communities. We build houses for South Africans in need of shelter, not for profit by greedy and irresponsible individuals,' said Duma. The MEC urged the people of KwaZulu-Natal to unite with the department in publicly condemning these irresponsible and greedy acts. Duma appealed to anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of RDP houses to report such activities using the following call centre numbers: WhatsApp: 060 1055505 and Toll-free: 080 005 5505. 'For the record, as the department, we will never turn a blind eye to complaints and expressions of anger against the alleged use of RDP houses for illegal activities such as selling drugs and hideouts for hitmen and other criminals,' he stated. In this regard, the department undertakes to work with law enforcement agencies to flush out criminals from our human settlements, he said. 'Critically, we wish to send a strong message that it is a criminal offence to sell the RDP house within the first eight years of ownership without permission from the Department of Human Settlements,' warned Duma. Duma further warned that those who illegally sell their RDP houses 'will forfeit their homes'. He noted that in terms of the Housing Amendment Act, any beneficiary who intends to sell the RDP house within or after eight years should approach the Department of Human Settlements. 'The department will inherit the property and work with the municipalities to hand it over to a qualifying member of the community on the waiting list,' he said. Duma also committed to collaborating on this matter with the South African Human Rights Commission, Public Protector, and Auditor-General of South Africa. 'We want to account for every cent of South Africans and to show public accountability,' he said. According to reports, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane noted a surge in complaints regarding RDP houses occupied by foreign nationals this week. Simelane also clarified that RDP houses can only be sold to deserving South African nationals who are part of the policy cover. Simelane noted that during izimbizos, residents complain about unregistered foreign nationals occupying new RDP houses while unemployed citizens are denied. The minister also alluded that the government is working on a White Paper on housing, which reviews the entire housing policy, adding that the provision of free houses in South Africa has proven to be unsustainable. Thapelo Mohapi of Abahlali baseMjondolo reportedly stated that meaningful government consultation with house recipients would prevent the sale or rental of RDP houses. He linked informal settlements near cities to people seeking economic opportunities and avoiding travel costs, attributing this to the government's failure to engage meaningfully on housing developments, often relocating residents far from economic hubs.
