COVID-19 support through the creation of healthier spaces
17 April 2020
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, today visited a site (iThemba site) in Mfuleni where, in collaboration with the Western Cape Government’s Minister for Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers and the Housing Development Agency (HDA), some of the most vulnerable informal settlement dwellers will be temporarily relocated in line with COVID-19 requirements.
The idea is to help qualifying residents in some of the most over-populated and high risk areas across the metro by moving them to healthier accommodation spaces where essential services are easier to deliver. This is also in an effort to make it easier to implement physical distancing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The site in Mfuleni (iThemba site) is one of three including one in Philippi (the Greater Kosovo area) and one in Dunoon that the National Government has identified in accordance with its criteria for these relocations. There are 6 500 relocation sites planned as part of the directive. Priority beneficiaries are being identified and engagements are under way.
The Western Cape Government and its implementing agency, the HDA is working with the City to facilitate and finalise the process over the next three months ahead of the expected COVID-19 peak in South Africa. According to the National Government, scientists have predicted that this peak is likely to be around September 2020.
In accordance with this COVID-19 protection initiative, vulnerable residents in some of the most densely populated informal settlements who qualify as priority, will be relocated from their current residences to ensure better access to health and essential services.
This is also to enhance the chances of physical distancing which is impossible, in some areas.
Projects as part of this initiative include:
- Approximately 1 500 healthier accommodation spaces to be created in Dunoon (on Western Cape Government land)
- Approximately 3 000 healthier accommodation spaces to be created in iThemba (on Western Cape Government land)
- Approximately 2 000 healthier accommodation spaces to be created in the Greater Kosovo area in Philippi (on City of Cape Town land)
‘My team and I, as well as our officials and colleagues from the HDA and the City have been working tirelessly to ensure we can gain ground and get ahead of the curve as far as is humanly possible. Thus far, the support from community leaders and the community at large has been encouraging ahead of the implementation of the relocation plans. Engagements are gaining momentum. We have been working in Dunoon and Philippi and Mfuleni are next. Engagements will continue to include City ward councillors and ward committees, Project Steering Committees (PSCs), health and social development officials, as well as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
‘As in Dunoon, the most vulnerable, which includes the elderly, disabled and backyard dwellers, will be prioritised. It is critical for residents to be aware that their health and well-being remains our priority and the driving force behind our efforts. Community support is vital. As the Western Cape Government we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society,’ said Minister Simmers.
The City is currently looking at the financing options, qualifying options and design principles.
‘We remain absolutely committed to the people of Cape Town and to the most vulnerable in our communities. The national disaster declaration is enabling us to enhance service provision, where we previously could not do so. We are at the service of our people and we ask all of Cape Town to support us in our efforts to help get through this challenging time together.
‘This is not going to be an easy task and we acknowledge this. Importantly, our intentions are good and we want to help. Our teams are still finalising the design proposals; the planning approval required; the qualification criteria for beneficiaries; the nature of the developments (temporary or more permanent) and of course the funding for this initiative. The City is currently reprioritising its current budget and tabled budget for 2020/21 as well as its planned and committed projects and programmes to make funds available for COVID-19 related expenditure. Further details will be made available over the coming weeks. This is a fluid and dynamic situation, as well as complicated and urgent. We also continue our calls for National Government to make land available for emergency housing and other housing developments,’ said Councillor Booi.
As part of the emergency efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, the City is enhancing access to water in informal settlements by the deployment of water trucks and the installation of water tanks. Additional cleansing work is also under way at communal facilities. Mass screening in communities have started, while aggressive COVID-19 awareness and educational efforts are ongoing.
‘Since the national disaster declaration, the City has been empowered to start the temporary extension of basic service provision, especially to informal settlements, that have limited access to water due to these being recently occupied through land invasion or where the land is privately owned. Normally, the City would not be able to provide basic services in these areas, or not immediately, depending on the circumstances of the land or the ownership.
‘As you can imagine, this is an enormous task and one that must be done with sensitivity but great urgency. We are operating at capacity. Therefore, I want to reiterate that we cannot have new land invasions as these will directly impact on the crisis response at the moment,’ said Councillor Booi.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
