Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has called on Khayelitsha residents living in formal houses to have compassion for shack dwellers in flood-prone areas.
Devaluation of properties
The premier's call comes after residents from a formal area objected to the province and city's flood relief programme to move flood victims to temporary relocation sites.
The residents claim moving shack dwellers into the area will devalue their properties.
Relocation funds available
Zille said she hopes an agreement can be reached with all sides and urged residents to make a decision quickly, stating that rules did not allow for money to be put aside and carried over.
"We just hope that people will have empathy with their fellow citizens, so we can get people out of the water," said the premier.
"I am desperate to spend the R96-million before the financial year ends," says Zille.
Sewerage 'flowing into houses'
A resident living in one of the flood-prone areas, and who attended a community meeting with Zille on Monday night, said she was not happy with the consultation process.
Angy Peter said she is tired of being spoken to and not listened to.
"Why do they have a short meeting where we can't tell them how we feel? Why can't they show us the place? The say they have discussed the place with community leaders. I don't trust any leaders of any party."
She said often Khayelitsha community leaders ignore the plight of residents whose homes are flooded.
"There was a section in RR where the sewerage was flowing into some houses. Those people couldn't get any assistance. I don't understand when they say the councillors know every corner of their sections; that is not true," said Peter.
- Eyewitness News - iafrica
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