Note to Editors: Please note Riona Gokool, MPL sound bite in English
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) calls for an immediate public meeting in Montclair – to be attended by both provincial and municipal representatives – to allow local residents to raise their critical concerns following the recent purchase of Montclair Lodge to house victims of the April 2022 KZN floods.
The R33million acquisition, by KZN’s Department Human Settlements, has seen Montclair residents and the local ratepayers’ association voice strong opposition to the accommodation, citing fears over increased crime, overburdened infrastructure and a lack of consultation.
The DA has its own concerns, which include bypassing proper community engagement, the questionable use of funds by the DHS and sustainable security and management.
In terms of community engagement, the DA firmly supports meaningful public consultation and transparent planning when it comes to major decisions which affect local communities – particularly large-scale housing relocations.
At a purchase price of R33million, with planned refurbishment costs of R4.2 million for assessment and at least R35million for upgrades, KZN’s taxpayers deserve clarity. The costs also demand scrutiny given that the property was refurbished just five years ago, for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DA expects answers to the following questions from DHS MEC, Siboniso Duma and his department;
• Whether the DHS evaluated any other municipal properties as alternatives and;
• Whether funds could have been directed to rebuild permanent housing, rather than leasing and refurbishing a lodge.
In terms of sustainable management and security, local residents fear increased crime and overstretched utilities. In this regard, KZN’s provincial government must urgently outline security protocols, maintenance budgets and service expansion plans, to ensure that Montclair can support its current population and new occupants without collapse.
The DA now demands the following;
• An immediate public meeting to allow residents to voice their concerns and co-develop oversight mechanism
• A detailed breakdown of all costs, including acquisition, refurbishment and long-term operational budgets and a comparative cost-benefit analysis of alternative options
• A time-bound plan to expand local infrastructure such as electricity, water, sewage, policing, in line with the increased population and;
• Public quarterly progress reports to ensure accountability and track project delivery.
While the DA supports swift action to house flood victims during the upcoming summer rainy season, it cannot be at the expense of ignoring communities, misusing scarce public funds, or neglecting local safety and infrastructure needs.
As a member of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) we remain committed to finding sustainable solutions together with the people of KZN.