Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has assured residents that flood victims and shack dwellers in KwaZulu-Natal have not been forgotten. Her remarks come in response to a recent report by Amnesty International South Africa, which accused government leaders of failing communities affected by climate-related disasters.
The human rights organisation raised concern that many victims of the April 2022 floods are still living in temporary shelters, highlighting eThekwini Municipality as one of the worst-affected areas. Amnesty International has called on government to improve housing delivery, provide essential services, and strengthen disaster preparedness as climate risks intensify.
Minister Simelane welcomed the report but cautioned that correcting historical imbalances in housing development “won’t happen overnight.”
Her spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike, noted that community resistance has slowed progress in some regions.
“The ‘not in my backyard’ attitude has been one of the major obstacles, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, to providing permanent shelter for the flood victims,” Machike said.
He added that several housing projects are already underway across the province, including developments in Kanku Road, Pilgrim X, Cornubia, and Bhambayi, aimed at addressing the needs of displaced residents.