The Eastern Cape delegation to the NCOP has heard that an estimated R1.7 billion is required to resolve housing needs following the Mthatha floods that took place in June 2025.
Mr Thembinkosi Sombeselele of the OR Tambo District Municipality told the delegation that Maiden Farm currently houses 400 families but the municipality needs land for permanent settlement. He also called for the normal housing criteria to be applied when allocating land to the Maiden Farm residents.
The delegation visited the Maiden Farm relocation centre where it heard about various challenges for the people living there. The delegation wanted to see if the disaster emergency funds went to the people it was intended to reach.
Addressing the flood victims, NCOP delegation leader Hon Mwelo Nonkonyane, said: “We are here to understand and witness how you are living. We want to know if the allocated emergency funds are directed to the people; some people tend to feed off from other people’s pain.”
Members of the community said their lives are beginning to improve but they still require fencing to prevent burglaries and electricity. They are happy about the involvement of Development Bank of South Africa and the beds, toilets and blankets provided by the Black Coffee Foundation.
The delegation heard that land for housing is scarce in Mthatha and that the floods victims were rejected by communities in areas identified for settlement by the municipality. The delegation also heard that over 600 people are still accommodated in care centres around Mthatha.
The provincial government said it is trying to find solutions for those affected by the floods in Slovo Park and Decoliny in Mthatha West. However, land scarcity and communities who do not want to share their area with the victims is proving to be a problem. The Red Cross will start providing electricity on Monday to the temporary structures in Maiden Farm.
The committee will conduct a walkabout to the affected areas and the Mthatha Dam this afternoon.
Sibongile Maputi
20 November 2025
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