Squatters offered homes

But none of Bo-Kaap Kraal residents show up for city’s registration process

MORE than 20 families who have been living in the Kraal informal settlement, located in one of the quarry sites near the Bo-Kaap, have been offered permanent housing in the new Pelican Park development.

The City of Cape Town arranged a meeting yesterday in Wale Street where the Kraal residents, some of whom have been living in their informal structures in dire conditions since the 1980s, would be able to formally accept the city’s housing offer and register for a house.

But Dave Bryant, ward councillor for the city bowl, said no one arrived.

“I find it strange that none of the families turned up. This is the first step towards resolving the issues surrounding the Kraal site.”

He said he was told that the Bo-Kaap Civic Association had advised residents that it would handle the housing.

Osman Shabodien, of the civic association, said residents had been advised of a meeting on Saturday to discuss the details of the proposed move.

“The challenge was that this is a big step for everyone. Each family has to work out the logistics.”

He said the Bo-Kaap community would help the families who wanted to move.

“Some of them have deep roots in the BoKaap,” he said, and the relocation to a new housing development near False Bay was a big decision.

“They came to me very excited about their new houses. They want running water and electricity. But there is the ‘ human factor’ – for many it is daunting after so many years (in one place).”

The area has long been associated with petty theft and criminal activity, and has become an eyesore. In 2013, Dawnsy Mieny, a visitor from Jeffreys Bay, fell into the quarry when she tried to escape a mugger who robbed her at gunpoint.

After this incident, there was a strong call to remove the community.

Bryant said that while the quarry provided shelter for the 23 law-abiding citizens, there was also “serious criminal activity” taking place on the periphery of the settlement.

“Our goal is to provide the people who should have access to dignified housing, with the opportunity. We can then remove the illegal occupants and secure the site.”

Bryant said there were no plans to develop the site.

The aim was to secure the site and then invite the community to recommend possible uses for the area.

The city is also installing a CCTV camera in the area to monitor activity at the settlement, as well as additional lighting.

Bryant said housing officials would meet residents at the homes in the Kraal, to make it easier for those who would be unable to get to Wale Street.

Pelican Park is a R700 million development that includes various housing opportunities; including more than 2 000 subsidised houses, 760 starter homes and 360 higher value or bonded houses. It will include two new schools, a regional clinic and places of worship.

Unlike the Kraal, which is wedged in the inhospitable granite quarry, the development fronts on to the False Bay Ecology Park.

A date of 2016 has been set down for the handover of 700 subsidised houses.