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As the rainy season begins, ActionSA in Tshwane is deeply concerned about the Mamelodi flood victims who are being subjected to secondary victimisation by the City of Tshwane, which has failed to accelerate the relocation process even after our numerous calls to do so.

It is worrisome that the City of Tshwane appears to have chosen to turn a deaf ear and play politics instead of prioritizing the Mamelodi flood victims who lost their homes in the December 2019 floods. Two years later, some of the victims are yet to be relocated. 

ActionSA was shocked to learn in September this year that the City reneged on its initial plans to relocate the victims citing lack of resources and means to do so. These residents have had no place to call home since 19 December 2019. At the time, a relocation plan was mooted but then abandoned by the City. A new plan was then allegedly developed, but this plan has also turned to dust. 

Unfortunately for the City of Tshwane, these residents will not go away quietly.

The behaviour of the Gauteng Provincial Government has been no better. When the disaster struck in 2019, Premier David Makhura promised the victims to move them to a safe space. That has not been done. Two years later, 598 of the 790 residents are yet to get places to call home.

ActionSA offered legal support to the victims earlier this year and the case is ongoing. Tomorrow, I will meet the community leaders of the victims and assure them of our commitment to fighting for their dignity to be restored.

As a represented party in council, ActionSA will put pressure on the City to do right by these victims who have been subjected to inhumane conditions by the municipality. 

Issued by ActionSA