Desperate pleas from flat-dwellers for infrastructure repairs

From leaking roofs to cracked walls and collapsed embankments, flat-dwellers in the south of Durban have raised their concerns about the deteriorating state of their municipal homes. 

Last week, the POST met with residents in Shallcross and Isipingo, who shared their concerns about the impact of the recent adverse weather conditions on the already dilapidated infrastructure. 

Many feared that they could soon be homeless, or lose their lives, or that of a loved one, if the eThekwini Municipality and KZN Department of Human Settlements failed to fulfill its ongoing “promises” to upgrade the flats.

Shirley Ramburan, 57, of Zoutpansberg Loop in Shallcross, said they were handed their title deeds three years ago. 

At the time, they were concerned about the state of the flats and taking ownership of it.

She lives on the bottom floor of a two-storey dwelling, which comprises four units. The units have two-bedrooms, an open lounge and kitchen, and bathroom with a toilet. 

“At the time we were not going to accept the title deeds as we knew we could never afford to do any of the renovations that they had failed to do over the years. We questioned why we had to do it when we had our rent for years.  

“We were promised that even after we received our title deeds, the city would do the upgrades. But years have passed and nothing has been done. I was moved out of my flat after the floods in April 2022. The embankment on which the flat stands, was washed away and there was a massive hole under my unit. 

“I was told the municipality would fix it, and I was moved into a park home. But there was only electricity for three months. I could no longer live like that, and after 18 months, I returned to my flat,” she said.

Ramburan said rainy days were the worst for the residents. 

“No matter what we do to try and seal the cracks in the windowpanes and walls, it is like an indoor waterfall when there are heavy rains. We have no roof, so the rain hits directly on the building and into our homes. It also enters from under the doors.

"I recently had to throw away all my furniture, especially the cupboards. Due to the walls always being damp, my kitchen cupboards fell off. Who is going to compensate me for this? I cannot buy anything new as I am unemployed and rely on my son. It is tough as he has his own family as well to take care of. 

“It is frustrating because promises are made, but there is no action. About two weeks ago, about 15 officials from the Department of Human Settlements came to see us. They took pictures and even said ‘don't worry ma, we will help you’. We haven't heard from them again. Instead of lying to us, they should just leave us alone,” she said.

Another resident, 47, said she was concerned that her ceiling would soon collapse due to the building not having a roof. 

She lives with her husband and two children on the second floor of the building. 

“Two years ago, during the heavy rains and wind, the roof blew off. We reported it repeatedly but it was never fixed. During one of several meetings with the human settlements department, they told us that our homes would get renovated, and they would fix the roof. Furthermore, they told us we should start breaking the tiles in our bathrooms, remove the doors and cupboards, and pack up all of our belongings. We were going to be moved into park homes, while they did the renovations. Now, we are living out of boxes,” she said.

The woman said in addition, she feared the ceiling would soon collapse. 

“We don't have anywhere else to go. All we are asking is that they fix our homes. I have become depressed living in these conditions, but we have no  choice. We just want a safe home. ”

Ganas Vurden, 62, said he had to patch holes in his ceiling and walls to prevent the rain from entering his home. 

“But it is no use as there is always a new crack. It also rained so hard that my windows broke. I had to put up boards as I can't afford to fix them. There has never been any renovations done these flats in years. We are pleading for help but we are not getting anywhere. There will only be some action when someone is seriously injured or dies. But we cannot wait until then. 

“We have heard that the human settlements department wants to build houses for flood victims in our parks, but what about us? Will they do the same for us when our flats collapse?” he asked.

Kamal Dhunraj, 58, of Orient Hills in Isipingo, said they were also facing critical infrastructure challenges. 

He has been renting a two-bedroom municipal flat for the past 25 years and paid about R800 rent per month.

Dhunraj said while some tenants have taken the initiative to renovate and upgrade the interior of their homes, it was the duty of the municipality to maintain the exterior. 

“For the past couple of months, I have been watching the ground outside my front door start to cave in. There is also a hole that has gotten bigger over time. We tried to fill it with stones, rubble and even cement it but it collapsed. We have reported that the building needs some much-needed repairs, including the stairway and landing. But nothing is done.”

Tanie Reddy, 57, pays R700 per month for her second-floor unit. 

“I don’t know when the gutters were last cleaned or replaced. When it rains, the water pours into our homes. The passageway and the walls are unstable. We don’t know when it will collapse. We also have to pay people out of our own pockets to cut the grass and bushes. It is not fair on us,” she said. 

Gugu Sisilana, the eThekwini Municipality’s deputy head of communications, said: “We will allow the relevant officials to engage directly with the affected residents as per their operational and budget processes as they have been doing so all along and not through the media.”

THE POST