Helderberg
Year 16 • Tuesday 14 August 2012 | Tel. 021 853 0211
Relocation area flooded After less than a month in their newly erected homes, the Sir Lowry’s Pass families that have moved to erf ST 1154-31, have expressed unhappiness with their housing arrangements after their homes were flooded this weekend. Community members burnt tyres and blocked off the road leading to the N2 on Saturday as they protested against the flooding of their recently relocated homes. The City of Cape Town moved the 52 families worst affected by flooding to this site at the end of July – a move which was meant to take the families beyond of the floodline. Community leader Aubrey Mofana said all the homes had been flooded during heavy rains on Friday. This prompted the families and other community members to protest once again. “There was not one house that was not flooded. That’s why they are angry.” The community had protested against poor service delivery and housing in May. Ward councillor Johan Middleton said he received reports that homes in the area had been damaged due to the storm. When he arrived on the scene, he found some of the roofs had become loose as result of the strong wind. He requested assistance from the City, but since it is the individuals’ responsibility to build and maintain their homes, the City was unable to assist the homeowners. Middleton added that the flooding had been caused by holes in the roofs. When the Gazette visited the site on Monday, large puddles were visible on the site, some houses had sections of their roofs missing and many homes were still damp from the rain.
Only a few weeks ago, the 52 families worst affected by flooding moved to the Incremental Development Area with the aim of removing them from the floodline. However, this weekend’s heavy rains saw their new homes being flooded. PHOTO: NICOLE MCCAIN