GOOD Statement by Suzette Little,
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & Caucus Chairperson
27 June 2023
The City of Cape Town needs to urgently act and fire its Executive Director for Human Settlements for the poor state of public housing, especially in areas such as the Cape Flats, which is now threatening the lives of children.
Last week a 3-year old narrowly escaped death when part of a staircase in the Grabouwcourt flats in Avonwood broke off and fell to the ground, not long after it was supposed to have been upgraded by the City.
This is a clear reflection of the state of many public housing units which the City of Cape Town is responsible for, simply because they are not located in areas where the DA’s donors reside.
The City has dedicated housing staff to manage the units, as well as contract managers who need to oversee the maintenance, repairs or upgrades to the units and ensure that it has been cleared as safe for human habitation.
Yet, across these communities people are simply expected to live in buildings with broken infrastructure and endless leaks, while the City wants people to believe that it “governs well”. How are people still expected to live in such pathetic conditions when they have been living in a so-called well run City, under the DA administration for the past 17 years?
As GOOD, we request that the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements undertakes an urgent review of the structural conditions of these buildings.
Residents need to know whether these buildings have been issued with the necessary occupancy certificates. If this is not the case, then those responsible should be held accountable for the poor treatment of our people, including the Executive Director.
The Mayor would also do well to appoint a permanent Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, if he is serious about his commitment to the issue and to meaningful transformation.
Media Enquiries:
Suzette Little, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 073 321 5036
Email: suzettel@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za