After the FF Plus’s warnings to relocate squatters who erected their structures in drainage systems were ignored for a long time, the matter has suddenly become a priority after problems arose.
The current situation creates the impression that Cape Town’s Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, dragged his feet in relocating the people in question.
The fact of the matter is that these illegal structures exacerbated the damage caused by the recent floods in certain communities and informal settlements, so, it is much worse than it would have been had action been taken.
The City of Cape Town should shoulder all the blame for its failure to act in time.
Between November 2021 and May 2024, the FF Plus in the City of Cape Town repeatedly raised the issue of the illegal squatters and the likely consequences in the City’s Water and Sanitation Committee, and also brought it to the attention of the Mayoral Committee Member. To no avail.
During these committee meetings, the party urgently called on the Directorate to cooperate with Human Settlements and other directorates to relocate the squatters, but it fell on deaf ears.
The Mayor should explain why it took so long to start the eviction process and relocate the structures. He cannot shift all the blame to the squatters.
The FF Plus, however, welcomes the recent declaration of a state of disaster by the Western Cape Premier, Allan Winde. It will unlock the additional resources needed to, hopefully, prevent any more damage and suffering.
The FF Plus’s heart goes out to everyone who has in some or other way been affected by the stormy weather, and the party is calling on all role players and the public to do everything in their power to help and support each other in these trying times.
;
