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R18m for storm damaged houses
When the Mayor of Emnambithi/
Ladysmith Council, Councillor DCP Mazibuko made an impassioned plea to the MEC for Housing, Mr Mike Mabuyakhulu, to assist the community who had suffered through a series of storms, he did not hesitate.
In recent weeks, several storms wrecked havoc with mud houses as well as RDP houses in Ezakheni, Colenso, St Chads, Jononoskop and Burford. When faced by the suffering of the people, the MEC did not hesitate to grant an amount of R18 m to help the poorest of the poor.
Addressing the community at Ezakheni C Section hall, the Minister indicated that the Provincial Government was mindful of the suffering of the most vulnerable in the community, the poor.
His decision to pledge R18 m was taken after he conducted an inspection-in-loco of the storm ravaged areas: "I give my department's assurance that we would do our very best to ensure that your houses were repaired by the time of Christmas."
The municipality sent out eight teams to the affected areas to determine the extent of the damages, the poverty levels of those affected, and personal details.
According to Executive Manager, R.G. Reddy, the compilation of details of 600 houses was done in two days: "I must add that both the engineering and housing section put in hours in conducting a door to door survey, taking photographs, interviewing residents and sending it in digital format to the department. Local developers, Ntokozweni, also put in a team to assist in this mammoth task. Based on the work done, contractors were appointed and repair work will start on 15 December 2008."
The Minister also spent time talking to the people and distributing food parcels, while Abed Karrim and Al Imhad Foundation distributed 50 tents to the affected people.
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