The municipality has no plans to move families living in the temporary relocation area of Mason Worve in Guguretu
The family was moved as a temporary measure from Mason Warbe Hostel in Gugretz in 2013, and the city of Cape Town repaired the aged building where they lived. The building has been demolished and the site is vacant. Now, the family wants to know when they will be relocated to permanent housing. However, the city now says there is no immediate plan to move families out of temporary relocation areas.
Family members who were moved to a temporary relocation area (TRA) in Cape Town 12 years ago say they were abandoned there, fearing that it became their permanent home.
They were moved to TRA by the City of Cape Town as the aging masonry hostel they lived in was demolished because it was “dangerous and not unmanned.”
It is difficult to miss a line of white Mason Warbt traits in the fenced area, located behind the Guguretu Police Station. When people first moved, around 80 families were housed in TRA. There are currently around 136 structures, and the city has recently confirmed it.
Andile Ngcwangun had moved there from the hostel. Inside, his house looks imperfect. There is an exposed steel frame covered in insulation and what looks like a zinc sheet. There is a small bathroom with a toilet and a sink.
Pointing out the hole next to his house, Ngcwangu explains how rival gangs dodged the bullet in February when they were shooting near the TRA.
He complained that the structure was not maintained and forced him to live in difficult situations. “When it’s cold, the structures become cold inside and just as unbearable when it’s hot. There are holes in the structures that can hold mice,” he said.
Norcindiso Repsing, community president at Mason Worb, said they hope that the city will fulfill its promise that it will not be their permanent home. “It’s been 12 years now, and we’re still here… Instead, the city is building roads here. If they’re only temporarily here, why are they making roads? They seem to be trying to fix this place because they know we’re not moving.
She said that several families have grown since moving there in 2013 and no longer fit into the small structure. “Some people have resorted to expanding their structures to create more space.”
“We need to know what’s going on. What will happen to the old hostel site? Will they build a house for us there?” asked Leputhing.
Sign up for the AllAfrica newsletter for free
Get the latest African news
success!
Almost finished…
You need to check your email address.
Follow the instructions in the email you sent to complete the process.
error!
There was a problem processing the submission. Please try again later.
When Groundup reported at Masonwabe Hostel in 2013, Bruce Oom was a former spokesman for the human settlement of Western Cape Mec, Bonginkosi Madikizela said, “Because the structure is being built, people will live somewhere, and it will take place at Masonwabe hostel, which was repaired at Masonwabe hostel. The house is probably only for hostel residents.”
However, this month, the city told Groundup that “relocation is not part of the city’s immediate plan.”
“TRA is also known as the incremental development area, and is a parcel of land developed for families who need emergency housing, as long as the emergency continues,” the city said.
When asked about the city’s plans for the current empty site at Masonwabe Hostel and whether a house would be built there, the city simply replied, “We will provide updates in time.”
