• The Masiphumelele sports field is the ONLY IMMEDIATELY available option for temporarily accommodating the fire victims that have not been housed yet.
• There are a number of other sports fields in the vicinity where applications can be made for temporary use. This alternative suggestion has been refused.
•  It is especially cruel that many who have received their temporary accommodation already, are seemingly in support of the violent actions, now that they themselves have been housed.

The City, and its partners, has done immense work under trying conditions to assist the verified fire victims:

•  401 temporary units have been developed and handed over to the fire-affected on the fire site.
•  489 units are to be constructed on the sports field temporarily for families who are still without a place to stay. The sports field beneficiaries will then be prioritised to receive permanent housing in terms of the longer-term rebuilding plan to enable them to move off the sports field as fast as possible, and the field will be rehabilitated for sporting use again.

The project has been delayed by violence, intimidation and even petrol-bomb attacks. Some of the leadership organisations in Masiphumelele have supported these actions by a small group. It is absolutely unacceptable.

Alternatives rejected

The City has spent much time trying to find alternative solutions to make all parties happy.

However, alternatives were rejected.

There are alternative sports fields in the vicinity.

In addition, the City has emphasised there is no immediately available, suitable land in Masiphumelele.

The land option that some in the community want the City to use, is not an immediate option. It is undergoing intense legal procedures, including a land transfer and environmental authorisation process. The timeframes are not within the City’s control. Thus, if one had to wait for this to be finalised, one would not be able to immediately assist the remaining fire victims. The City must follow all due process and South African legislation.

In December 2020, all community members, through the leadership, were informed of the temporary plans.

The City is looking at all legal options.

Longer-term plans for qualifying Masiphumelele fire victims

For information on the longer-term permanent housing programme for qualifying fire-victims, please approach the Western Cape Government and the Housing Development Agency for information on this as this part of the Masiphumelele programme is not a City project.