Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s commitment of R1 billion for flood victims has drawn immediate doubt from the victims who are still housed in temporary shelters.

Some victims have been living in inhumane temporary shelters for more than seven years in KwaZulu-Natal and their hopes of better living conditions remain a pipe dream.

Among them is Sthabile Ngcobo, who lives in a community hall in Isipingo, south of Durban. She has been living here for over seven years after her two-room mud house was washed away during the 2016 floods.

“I doubt that money will filter down to us. In fact, it will not ever reach us as the victims. We have been fed promises since 2016 but nothing has happened,” she told Scrolla.Africa.

“Mark my words, some politicians are already planning how to steal the relief funds meant for flood victims like us and many others in different parts of the country. You’ll see after a few years when arrests start to happen over the relief funds for flood victims.”

Musa Mkhize, a victim of the April 2022 floods, who has been living in a tent in Ndwedwe north of Durban, agreed.

“This is just an election strategy for the ANC government. They want it to appear as if there is something they are doing, while this is just another strategy to enrich themselves and their friends,” said Mkhize.

He said flood victims have become pawns in a political chess game.

“When politicians want to revive their fading relevance they just talk about assisting flood victims, but few keep their promises. I’ve lost count of how many politicians have visited us. But nothing has happened.

“I doubt the relief that was announced will change our lives,” said Mkhize.

During his budget speech on Wednesday, Godongwana said: “In relation to the recent floods and the national disaster in various provinces, R695 million is available in this financial year for immediate relief.”

Gauteng, KZN, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West and Limpopo have all recently been ravaged by floods.

Pictured above: Flood victims who are still housed in a temporary shelter in Durban

Picture source: Supplied