eThekwini, KwaZulu‑Natal — More than four years after devastating floods, 2 484 people who lost homes in eThekwini are yet to be moved into permanent housing, the provincial Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday.
Temporary sites persist despite some progress
The DA said an update presented to KwaZulu‑Natal’s Human Settlements portfolio committee shows that the remaining group comprises 783 families still living in Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA) managed after the floods. The Department of Human Settlements (DHS) has confirmed the closure of eight TEA sites but has acknowledged that significant numbers remain without permanent homes.
While the party welcomed moves that have seen some families relocated to completed projects — including developments in Cornubia, Illovo and Copesville — it warned against treating incremental gains as a reason for prolonged delays.
“These families deserve more than temporary accommodation and shifting deadlines. They deserve dignity, certainty and a permanent place to call home.”
Targets at risk, Cornubia moves delayed
The DA said the DHS has acknowledged a key target is at risk after the planned relocation of the first 200 families to Cornubia was delayed because work did not begin as scheduled in July 2026. The party called on both the DHS and the eThekwini Municipality to accelerate relocations and to provide clarity to affected households.
- Publish a public, household-level relocation schedule prioritising families longest in TEAs
- Intervene immediately to recover lost time on the Cornubia TRU programme
- Provide monthly progress reports against clear construction and relocation targets
- Establish a dedicated intergovernmental task team to resolve bottlenecks
- Engage meaningfully with affected families so they know when and where they will be relocated
Numbers and milestones
The following figures were included in the update provided to the portfolio committee:
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| People still without permanent housing | 2 484 |
| Families among them | 783 |
| TEA sites confirmed closed | 8 |
| Planned first Cornubia relocations delayed | 200 families (relocation delayed) |
Calls for transparency and accountability
The DA, as a member of the KwaZulu‑Natal Government of Provincial Unity, said it will hold the DHS accountable until every flood‑affected family is in a safe, permanent home. The party has demanded monthly reporting and a clear schedule that names households and prioritises those who have spent the longest in TEAs.
Provincial housing programmes in recent years have been hampered by procurement delays, contractor performance issues and intergovernmental coordination challenges. The DA wants a dedicated task team to address bottlenecks between provincial, national and municipal authorities so that implementation can be sped up.
What affected residents need to know
Residents still in temporary accommodation are entitled to clear information about relocation timing and the locations of permanent housing. The DA’s demands — if adopted by authorities — would provide:
- Household‑level timetables so families can plan schooling, work and transport
- Monthly public progress updates against construction targets
- Formal channels for affected households to raise concerns and receive responses
The DA said it will continue monitoring developments and pressing the DHS and eThekwini Municipality to deliver on promises. The party’s statement stresses that closure of some TEA sites is not enough while hundreds remain displaced.
Officials from the Department of Human Settlements and eThekwini Municipality were not quoted in the DA release. The portfolio committee presentation referenced by the DA was provided to members as part of oversight proceedings; further public reporting by the DHS is expected as progress continues.
Reporting from Durban.
