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Floods

2022 Flood Victims Scramble to Prove Eligibility for Government Assistance

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Three years after being displaced by the devastating 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods, some victims are struggling to prove their eligibility for government assistance. Despite initial promises of help, many are now faced with eviction notices and a rigorous verification process that has uncovered foreign nationals, individuals with RDP houses, and those earning above the stipulated amount for government housing. The verification process has been underway for months, with the department of human settlements submitting a report to the South African Human Rights Commission, which has agreed with the department's steps to manage the matter.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2022 floods resulted in at least 436 deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure and homes, leaving many victims struggling to find permanent housing.
  • The department of human settlements is applying the same criteria for disaster victims as for those applying for government housing in general: an income of under R3,500 per month, never having had a home or RDP house before, and being a South African citizen over 18 years old with dependants.
  • Over 179 individuals have been found to not qualify to live in self-catering accommodation due to various reasons, including earning above the stipulated amount and having RDP houses.
  • The department has paid over R185-million so far for private self-catering accommodation for the 2022 flood victims, and needs an additional R128-million.
  • Individuals, such as Gladys Nongoboza, who earns R6,000 a month and has seven dependents, are struggling to find rentals and are pleading for assistance to find a house.
  • The department of human settlements is considering alternative accommodation for individuals who do not qualify for government-built houses, and has built houses in land acquired from traditional leaders.
  • Sibiya stated that "Critically, there are individuals who have pleaded and asked to bring more concrete evidence to back up their position that they still qualify to be accommodated in self-catering accommodation."

Statistics:

  • 179 individuals do not qualify to live in self-catering accommodation due to various reasons.
  • The verification process uncovered foreign nationals, individuals with RDP houses, and those earning above the stipulated amount.
  • The department of human settlements has paid over R185-million so far for private self-catering accommodation for the 2022 flood victims.
  • An additional R128-million is needed for self-catering accommodation for the victims.
  • 437 deaths were reported as a result of the 2022 floods.

Sources:

  • "2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods": Wikipedia
  • "Department of Human Settlements, Environment, and Public Works": Government of South Africa
  • "South African Human Rights Commission": SAHRC
  • "Daily Maverick": DM
  • "The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements": KZNDHS

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