The first beneficiaries of the Delft homes that were invaded in December have begun moving in, Thubelisha Homes said on Friday.
Prince Sigcawu, general manager of the N2 Gateway Pilot Project, said 10 families completed the move on Friday, another 20 would move in on Monday and Tuesday, and 100 per week would follow until all 1 600 of the homes that were invaded were legally occupied.
”We are very pleased that people who had the patience to wait for their homes instead of joining the illegal invasion were rewarded today,” said Sigcawu.
Among them was former backyard-dweller Celestine Wewers (42). Wewers, her two children and mother Betty, previously lived in a backyard in Voorbrug for 12 years.
She was meant to move into her own house in December but was forced to wait after the homes were invaded.
”I’m very happy. I can’t begin to explain how happy I am that I’m no longer living in other people’s backyards. I now have freedom in my own house,” said Wewers.
”I had to move in December already but when I arrived with my stuff it was chaos because the houses were invaded. I went back to my wendy-house and called the housing office to find out what was going on. They told me to be patient. I waited and didn’t lose hope.
”I spent Christmas in the wendy-house, packed and ready to go because I didn’t want to unpack again. But I was satisfied because I knew I was going to get my house.”
Sigcawu said the contractors had anticipated moving 30 families in this week, but some of the homes were extensively damaged during the invasion, and suppliers had been unable to supply all the building material.
Seventy percent of the houses go to former residents of informal settlements and 30% to backyard-dwellers. – Sapa