Latest news with #Settlements
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Settlements ‘annex the West Bank into Israel'
Settlements 'annex the West Bank into Israel' Quotable Video Duration 01 minutes 08 seconds 01:08 Video Duration 01 minutes 03 seconds 01:03 Video Duration 01 minutes 00 seconds 01:00 Video Duration 00 minutes 45 seconds 00:45 Video Duration 00 minutes 53 seconds 00:53 Video Duration 01 minutes 14 seconds 01:14 Video Duration 01 minutes 34 seconds 01:34
IOL News
31-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Melmoth housing project finally making progress after decade-long delays
SOME of the challenges that faced the decade-long delayed Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth was the hilly terrain where the houses are built. However, retaining walls were erected to mitigate against flooding THE Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth in the background with some of the water infrastructure built since the provincial government's intervention in the delayed project. KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma inspected progress of the project yesterday KWAZULU-NATAL Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma accompanied by the department's officials inspects the Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth which has faced decade-long delays THIS was how some of the houses for the Thubalethu housing project, in Melmoth looked like after vandalism, illegal occupation and delays before the provincial government had to step in. TRIBUNE REPORTER THE beneficiaries of a housing project in Northern KwaZulu-Natal have regained hope of occupying the houses that have remained unoccupied and incomplete for many years, with many being vandalised in the process due to delays and a plethora of other challenges. The R168 million Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth has been beset with challenges of delays, cost overruns, vandalism, illegal occupation, and lack of power and water supply since 2012, leaving many beneficiaries destitute and living in informal settlements. The project is a national government initiative under the Human Settlements' Breaking New Ground (BNG) programme and was meant to be an extension of Thubalethu township. The project was initially for 512 units, but the final number was adjusted to 751 due to the land's topography. A total of R168 million was allocated for the project. Yesterday, Human Settlements MEC for KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, returned to the Thubalethu community to monitor progress on the project following an April 29 visit earlier this year, accompanied by the Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, who both committed to seeing the project to its finality and exerted pressure for its speedy progress. 'We remain convinced that only hard work and commitment to serve the people will end the prolonged construction of houses in Thubalethu township."We want to ensure that there is no maladministration and that there is accountability for every cent spent,' said Duma yesterday when he undertook Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet Day work in the township. He monitored and inspected the work involving the department, Mthonjaneni, and King Cetshwayo municipalities. The Human Settlements Department has made available R38.5 million for the construction of the retaining walls to mitigate against flooding. Some of the houses are in hilly terrain, which maximises the risk of flooding. R61 million has been provided for the installation of bulk water services, and another R19 million for the construction of water infrastructure in the area. There's also a plan to erect water tanks and upgrade sewer and septic tanks. One of the many challenges facing the project was plumbing and sanitation. In the early stages of the project, there were reports of political bickering between the Mthonjaneni Local Municipality and the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, which further complicated the project's progress. The provincial government had to step in to nip the bickering in the bud.
IOL News
13-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Family receives new home on Mandela Day after tragic floods in Durban
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, flood victim Ntombikhona Mhlongo, eThekwini Municipality councillor Bheki Mngwengwe, eThekwini Municipality councillor Protas Mngonyama and eThekwini Municipality councillor Sbusiso Lushaba. Image: Thobeka Ngema The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is set to provide a house to a Durban family on Mandela Day. This family was impacted by the February 2025 floods and is still grieving the loss of their matriarch, Zondeni Gcabashe. Gcabashe was swept away by floodwaters along with four other individuals. While the other four bodies have been recovered, Gcabashe's remains are yet to be found. Gcabashe's family was part of the flood victims who were evicted from Bayside Lodge during the week and left on the streets before the department moved the flood victims to accommodation in Umbilo. Speaking at the accommodation on Sunday, Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said that they wanted to ensure that on Mandela Day, Gcabashe's family would be the only ones who were not affected by the 2022 floods who would receive a house. Duma stated that this would allow the family to conduct their rituals and find closure. 'So we already conveyed the news, which they have embraced, they took it very positively, and we just want to highlight that the only reason this family is going to be on the list, we just have to take that into cognisance,' Duma said. Gcabashe's daughter, Ntombikhona Mhlongo, confirmed her mother has not been found. She said she would cry daily and make calls day and night. 'Today (Sunday), they told us we will get a home so we can continue my mother's rituals. We asked about continuing it at the flat, but we were told we couldn't. We were told they would try for a house, we should wait,' Mhlongo said. She said this way they can fetch her mother's spirit, and perhaps it will be revealed where her body is located. 'If we look traditionally, we cannot find her. And she doesn't want to be taken to relatives. Maybe if we find the home she was fighting for, maybe she will come to light,' Mhlongo said. She expressed gratitude to all three government spheres and the help they received when they were evicted. 'The area is good, everything is okay,' Mhlongo said about their new accommodation in Umbilo. Additionally, Duma visited some flood victims in Umbilo. 'We found that the people (flood victims) are happy; they report that the situation has improved, and they feel secure,' Duma said. Human Settlements head of department Max Mbili said all three spheres of government have strengthened their coordination so the current temporary accommodation occupants will not be evicted. 'We can give you assurance that it won't happen. Since Wednesday, we are having meetings to ensure that we put internal controls so that what we saw on Wednesday and Thursday doesn't happen again,' Mbili said. 'We can give that assurance, but in a nutshell, we are saying through coordination, it won't happen. It will remain like this until a permanent solution is given.' [email protected]
