PE flood victims still homeless

R400 million is to be made available over the next three years to upgrade afflicted areas

In August this year torrential rains fell in Port Elizabeth and the surrounding areas, rendering over 5 000 people homeless. Those living in informal settlements were hardest hit.

As a result R400 million is to be made available over the next three years to upgrade and move residents from the afflicted areas. Yet residents are still in the dark as to what their future holds.

Since the shacks were washed away and residents rescued, the water level have dropped but not much else has changed. The metro says 300 hundred families have since been moved to serviced sites - this is news to a number of residents who have lived here for over 20 years - they believe talk is cheap.

Nkuzola Mpolweni, a resident on the Chatty flood plain, says: “The councillor did mention the money at the last meeting but nothing has been made clear to us as to what will happen.”

Chris Kunwayo, another resident, says: “All the people affected were taken to halls and this is where they have stayed. The municipality says they are going to move the people but they are still waiting.”

Meanwhile, the metro has admitted that there is a problem when it comes to communication. The people living in the flood plain have been identified as priorities but this is little consolation for those who have been waiting for three years for a house. SABC