Housing

Tensions rise in Masiphumelele after shack demolitions

Victims of the Masiphumelele fire that left thousands homeless marched with the sun shining on their faces to the office of ward councillor Felicity Purchase today.

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News | 18 December 2015

Klipheuwel movement responds to City councillor

Andile Tumana, Executive Director: Kingdom Change Agents Movement, responds to statements made by Councillor Benedicta van Minnen, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, about who represents the residents of Klipheuwel.

Andile Tumana

Opinion | 15 December 2015

Wolwerivier residents track down city councillor at the beach

Wolwerivier residents and Ndifuna Ukwazi activists tracked down the City Council's Benedicta van Minnen at Camps Bay beach today after she was not available to meet them at the Civic Centre.

Barbara Maregele

News | 14 December 2015

Snags as Masiphumelele rebuilds after fire

It has been almost two weeks since a fire burnt down over a 1,000 homes in Masiphumelele’s Section E and Section D. While efforts are underway to rebuild, many residents are encountering snags.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 11 December 2015

Gangsters rob fire victims

After four nights sleeping in the open, families in Military Heights informal settlement near Lavender Hill have started rebuilding the homes destroyed by a fire last weekend. Some were robbed by gangsters as they tried to salvage their belongings after the fire.

Siyavuya Khaya

Brief | 10 December 2015

After the De Waal Drive threats, tenants in Plumstead fear for the future

The plight of the De Waal Drive families threatened with removal by the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements struck a chord with many Capetonians. But the same process is happening, away from public scrutiny, in other parts of the city, writes Daneel Knoetze of Ndifuna Ukwazi.

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Analysis | 10 December 2015

Dispute over who represents residents of informal settlement

The City of Cape Town is negotiating with a private owner to buy land in Klipheuwel and install services for families living in the informal settlement.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 10 December 2015

Hope for Mtubatuba residents, after years of complaints

After years of complaining about water, electricity, sanitation, and roads, residents of KwaMsane in KwaZulu Natal say they got the attention of the authorities after their protest last month.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 9 December 2015

City commits to upgrading Endlovini

Residents of Endlovini — who protested three weeks ago at what they described as the empty promises of ward councillor Anele Gabuza and the City of Cape Town — might have their demands met.

Siyavuya Khaya

Brief | 7 December 2015

Masiphumelele: before and after the fire

Here are two aerial photographs of Masiphumelele's Section D and Section E informal settlements. The first was taken before Sunday morning's fire, and the second was taken after.

GroundUp staff

News | 4 December 2015

Mfuleni backyarders protest over housing list dispute

About 300 Mfuleni backyarders marched yesterday to the office of the Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela, to hand over a memorandum about housing in the area.

Bernard Chiguvare

Brief | 3 December 2015

Masiphumelele to get its own fire station

Masiphumelele, scene of a devastating fire last weekend, is to get its own fire station. Community leaders have welcomed the news, but expressed surprise that they were not consulted.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 3 December 2015

Residents fight back against banks’ eviction tactics

A group called Lungelo Lethu Human Rights Foundation is preparing a class action suit against the four major banks for what it says are the unlawful evictions of thousands of South Africans from their homes.

Ciaran Ryan

Feature | 2 December 2015

Delays “unacceptable” says attorney in Hout Bay firebreak case

The court hearing of Hangberg resident Santonio Jonkers will be prioritised next year, says Magistrate Wezile Rixana. Jonkers is accused of contravening a 2011 High Court interdict that prevented anyone from building new structures on the Sentinel’s firebreak above Hangberg in Hout Bay.

Barbara Maregele

Brief | 2 December 2015

“My only thought was: I don’t want to die”

Nolufefe Mhlangeni lost her mother and her two-year-old daughter in a fire in Masiphumelele in 2013. On Sunday, she lost her home.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 30 November 2015

Who is responsible for Blikkiesdorp?

Who is responsible for Blikkiesdorp? This question has been coming up in response to work in the community by the Open Democracy Advice Centre.

Alison Tilley

Opinion | 30 November 2015