Statement by Usivile Mboneli, United Democratic Movement Councillor and Chief Whip for the Mbhashe Local Municipality

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Mbhashe Local Municipality strongly condemns the gross neglect and inhumane treatment of 400 families from Dutywa, Eastern Cape, who have been abandoned in dire conditions in Zone 14 for over 13 years.

In 2012 these families were relocated from an informal settlement near Dutywa town to make way for an RDP housing project which never happened. They were promised that their stay in Zone 14 would be temporary and were each given a paltry R1,500 as compensation.

However, more than a decade later, these promises remain unfulfilled.

Zone 14, located several kilometres from Dutywa town, is an uninhabitable wetland area without basic services. The relocation site lacks electricity, forcing residents to rely on illegal connections or wood fires for cooking. Water is delivered sporadically by truck and communal toilets are blocked due to inadequate water supply.

Many residents are unemployed living in extreme poverty and scavenging at a nearby dumping site for food. Children, young mothers and elderly residents are left to stand for themselves under appalling conditions.

The UDM is also deeply disturbed by reports of widespread crime in Zone 14, where the lack of streetlights has made residents vulnerable, particularly people living with disabilities.

Adding abuse to people, the Mbhashe Local Municipality is now planning to relocate three additional informal settlements, JPO, Mabhaceni and Agriculture to Zone 14, despite the lack of services or adequate living conditions.

It is unacceptable that families are left to suffer in such degrading conditions for over a decade, while promises of housing and dignity remain unfulfilled.

The UDM calls on the Mbhashe Local Municipality and the Department of Human Settlements to:
1. Immediately halt any further relocations to Zone 14.
2. Provide urgent basic relief to the residents of Zone 14, including clean water, electricity and proper sanitation.
3. Prioritise the construction of RDP houses for these families as promised in 2012.
4. Launch an independent investigation into the 13-year delay and hold those responsible to account.

The UDM stands in solidarity with Zone 14 residents and other affected communities in Dutywa.