Melmoth housing project finally making progress after decade-long delays
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.
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IOL News
4 days ago
- 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
25-07-2025
- IOL News
Invaded land: families hopeful they will soon visit the gravesites of loved ones
One of many gravesites of persons from the community that died as early as the 1940s. Image: Supplied THE families of those who were buried in the Seaview Cemetery are hopeful they will soon be able to visit the gravesites of their loved ones, after the land was invaded by informal dwellers more than 20 years ago. Some of the make-shift homes were built on top of gravesites. Siboniso Duma, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, said graveyards were sacred places and should be respected. He said the department was in the process of profiling the informal dwellers with the aim of relocating them. 'Our hearts are with the families of the departed souls that should be resting in peace in the cemetery. We recall that residents were forcefully removed from the area as a result of the Group Areas Act. Under a democratic government, they must be allowed to reconnect with their loved ones,' said Duma. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Informal dwellings have been erected next to or on top of gravesites at the Seaview Cemetery. Image: Supplied He said Max Mbili, the head of department, department officials, and a team of community based workers were in the process of profiling people living in the cemetery. 'While we understand that people are moving from far-flung areas to eThekwini in search of socio-economic opportunities and that there is a shortage of houses and land. We call on communities to respect the departed soul. Cemeteries are sacred places where the dead must be allowed to rest in peace. 'We now want to establish the identity of the people there, whether they received houses in the past in Welbedacht and sold them or rented them out. We also want to ensure that only South Africans are registered as per the government policy.' Duma added that the department supported the upcoming National Dialogue, which was spearheaded by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 'We will need to have our own dialogue in Seaview, Chatsworth, and uMlazi, among other areas. We must work together to ensure we allow families in the area or those who have graves on farms, and were forcefully removed, can go back to the graves to honour the deceased and connect with their heritage. Many former residents that were forced to leave their childhood homes for Chatsworth, due to the Group Areas Act, said they were unable to visit the gravesites due to restrictions at the time, and later the building of informal dwellings. Krishna Naidoo, 85, said the cemetery, initially known as the Seaview Vishnu Cemetery, was opened by his grandfather's uncles. 'They came to South Africa as businessmen, and not as indentured labourers. They formed the Seaview and District Hindoo Cemetery Trust and requested the authority of the city council to use the land as a burial ground in the late 1930s. 'They also used their own money to build the Seaview Shree Vishnu Temple, which was later demolished during the Group Areas Act. 'The cemetery is where my grandparents and brother were buried. There were also many other family members that passed on before the Group Areas Act that were also buried. 'I still remember it had a big gate and the sign 'Seaview Vishnu Cemetery' on it. We used to pass the cemetery on the way to school every day. We also cleaned the graves, put flowers and did prayers.' Naidoo said he had not visited the cemetery since being moved from the area. 'When we were able to freely move around again, it was difficult and unsafe to go to the cemetery as people began building shacks. We have had gatherings of old residents in the area, but we look at the cemetery from a distance. 'However, if they can remove those people who have illegally settled in the cemetery and clean it up, I would be happy. I also wish I could be buried next to my loved ones,' he said. Moonsamy Moodley, 78, said his father and several other family members were buried at the cemetery. 'I am left deeply saddened to see the state of the cemetery. We used to visit at least once a week to clean the graves, and sometimes put flowers if it was a special occasion. 'However, while it is not right to build houses on graves, I can understand that people have become desperate for homes or some type of shelter. I hope they will now get proper homes. We will hopefully be able to pay our respects to our elders again soon,' he said. Lalanthra Dass, 64, said her grandfather and his brother were buried at the cemetery. 'With the assistance of one of the residents, my father and I last visited the cemetery about four years ago. It was disappointing to see the condition, especially the damages to many of the gravesites. I can only hope that once the people are removed, the cemetery will be restored and maintained.' Gopaul Pillay, 77, wants to visit his mother's gravesite. 'My mother died when I was just a year old. I never had the chance to meet her and for many years I have not been able to go back to her resting place. There have been many occasions when I just wanted to drive to the area and visit the cemetery, but was told it was not safe. Now I have hope that we will be able to go to the cemetery.' Khaleel Kazi, a resident for the past 73 years and a community activist, said: 'The African understanding of ancestral worship is profound. You give dignity to these souls (the deceased) and sanctity to the hallowed burial ground. Therefore, what we have seen happen at the cemetery reflects the level that people have been let down and what they have had to resort to doing. 'It is a sad indictment on the leadership and promise in the document called The Freedom Charter, which, to a large extent, laid the foundations of our Constitutional understanding of Human Rights. 'The Department of Human Settlements now has this task of relocating these informal settlers. However, it must be noted that there is no shortage of land. The area around the cemetery is in the hands of the state and has remained vacant after the forced removal of Indians from the area and the expropriation of land. Why not use the land to build proper homes?' he said. THE POST
IOL News
13-07-2025
- 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]
