GRAFF-REINET NEWS — Frustrated local’s residents of Umasizakhe seek answers after having lost their homes over a year ago.
After being displaced more than a year ago and not having received any communication with regards to the rebuilding of these homes since then, these families are now properly fed up.
They say they have exhausted every avenue they could without success.
They also claim that the houses were illegally demolished as they were not served with letters from the court but rather letters authored by officials from the municipality.
The locals say they have approached numerous officials from the municipality on several occasions and are either turned away or redirected only to once again hit a dead end.
It is because of the desperate and dire nature of this situation that the community has approached the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.
Marleen Jacobs, 31, an affected resident in this housing matter, says she is currently renting and has to move from house to house with her sister and their combined three children, with whom she shared their now demolished family home.
Over 80 people are now displaced and these residents are appealing to anyone able to assist them in this matter to contact the NPO, Youth Empower, who has been representing them for over three months. The affected families say they are simply seeking information and direction.
It also goes beyond the issue of just housing for the residents of Umasizakhe as their traditional area called ‘ixhanti' is now surrounded by rubble and debris. This is distressing because this area is considered sacred in terms of the community’s cultural beliefs.
Officials from the municipality were approached regarding a request to clear the area, to which they agreed, however, the rubble has yet to be removed.
A follow-up article containing statements from the various officials in response to this article will be published in next week’s edition of the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.
Contact details for the NPO Youth Empower is 081 753 8088.
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