Question NW2512 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
10 December 2020 - NW2512
Langa, Mr TM to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether her department intends to build houses for the residents of the Foreman and Punters informal settlements in Ward 25 in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in Durban, who have been promised houses for the past 20 years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, by what date?
Reply:
The eThekwini Metropolitan municipality has conducted pre-feasibility studies (Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study and Geo-technical study and Land Ownership) on the occupied land of Foreman and Punters informal settlements and the findings reveal that it is not feasible to develop the two informal settlements. Consequently, the process of land acquisition for the privately owned adjacent land is being undertaken to plan and develop. However, the incremental services are provided to the informal settlement.
Foreman and Punters Informal settlements is undevelopable due to unstable soil condition and people will be relocated to Cornubia Phase 2. Feasibility studies were conducted and the settlements are B2 categories according to the National Upgrade Support Programme (NUSP) which means that these will be complete relocations. The beneficiaries list is not approved, however there are ring fenced lists for both settlements which are used to monitor and ensure that these settlements are not growing.
These settlements have electricity, water standpipes and ablution facilities. The City assists the victims in cases of disaster incidents. Cornubia phase 2 project is currently at tender stage for services. The relocation is anticipated to commence by June 2022.