The dispute over the relocation of residents from the Nomakanjani informal settlement to a field in ward 58 has opened a can of worms for the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.
Councillors are now at each other’s throats about the proposed relocation.
The municipality wants to move the residents from a flood-prone area of ward 53 to the field in ward 58, just across the road from councillor Bulelani Matenjwa’s ward 59 — a formal housing area.
Matenjwa’s vocal rejection of the relocation has been clear.
He penned an open letter to the residents of his ward, warning them that such a move would cause instability and put a strain on municipal resources.
“This means that the relocation of an informal settlement so close to our ward will have a direct and immediate impact on our infrastructure, services and overall stability.
“This move by the municipality and the arrogance of the political head for human settlements [Thembinkosi Mafana] on this matter will not be accepted.”
His main gripe is that the relocation site lacks basic services, and moving residents there without a proper infrastructure plan will create long-term service delivery challenges.
It is worth noting that Mafana and Matenjwa are both ANC councillors.
The dispute stems from a December 12 council resolution that the city must make land available for emergency housing for informal communities often affected by flooding.
The municipality identified 50 land parcels meant for township development according to the spatial planning and land use management bylaw.
Mafana, however, is not backing down and said he was being called names on social media by an ANC councillor for simply implementing a council resolution which Matenjwa did not object to.
After a report by The Herald on Thursday, the municipality issued a press release calling for calm.
The metro pointed out that land identification, acquisition and relocations were done in the best interest of residents, those who will benefit and those who will be affected.
Public engagement meetings will take place next week.
The core issue here is not just about moving people from one location to another, but ensuring they are relocated with dignity.
Often, residents have been moved to an area without proper services.
The metro must provide clear plans for water, sanitation, electricity and other essential services before any relocation takes place.
It is not enough to simply move communities with the promise of services.
The Herald
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