New roads push Kliptown residents out of their homes
- Development has started in Kliptown’s squatter camps with new roads and storm drains being built to stop flooding.
- Some residents must move their shacks to make way for the new roads but don’t know where they will go.
People living in Kliptown’s informal settlement are seeing changes as workers start digging roads and storm drains in Gqobas and Mvakhe areas.
The work brings both hope and worry for residents. While many welcome the development, some must move their homes to make way for the new roads.
Ward councillor Siphiwe Simelane said flooding has been a big problem in the area.
“Some families lose their properties during floods, their shelters are damaged and they are displaced,” he said. “It is time to act upon the continuous problem rather than having to deal with it by just being there when it happens.”
Plans to develop the area have been talked about since previous Johannesburg mayors were in charge.
Some residents must break down their one-room houses and shacks because they were built over old pipes or where roads will go. They say they haven’t been told where they can move to.
One resident who must move said: “I am happy with the development and I really do not mind moving, but where am I going to go? Now I am also faced with taking the house down, which is going to be at my expense.”
Simelane said he asked housing MMC Mlungisi Mabaso to provide housing for people who must move. Officials have already checked who qualifies.
Some residents got lucky when plans changed. Instead of moving their homes, workers will install storm drains differently and make one-way streets.
More development is coming to the area. Simelane said toilets will be installed and electricity should come in April or May this year.
Pictured above: The letters “DX” show where and which residents must move.
Source: Supplied