Rasaad Adams|Updated
Political parties challenged the DA’s claims about its affordable housing delivery in Cape Town, with opposition representatives questioning the quality of housing and whether residents were being provided with dignified homes at IOL’s election debate on Thursday.
DA Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews defended the City’s housing record, insisting it had created more affordable housing opportunities than any other municipality.
He said: “Don’t just take our word for it. The City of Cape Town has produced the most affordable housing opportunities out of all municipalities.
“This was confirmed by the national minister of Human Settlements. The parties sitting here will argue the opposite, but it is a fact.
Andrews accused opposition parties of wanting residents to remain in informal settlements.
Opposition parties question housing quality
“The parties want people to continue living in hokkies. That is all I am hearing here,” he added.
However, NCC representative Fadiel Adams questioned the quality of housing delivered by the City and raised concerns about the contractors used for its projects.
“There have been so many controversies around the contractors the City uses. The minister must come to the Cape Flats and see the state of affordable housing. It is easy to build more when you’re building crap,” Adams said.
Adams compared Cape Town’s housing situation with what he had seen in Bloemfontein, questioning whether residents were receiving dignified accommodation.
“I was in Bloemfontein. That place is falling apart, but at least people have decent housing. Here on the Cape Flats, people stay in one big room with a toilet. Is that dignified?” he asked.
ANC representative Faiez Jacobs called for a change in government, accusing the DA of failing to provide dignified housing during its more than 20 years in power in Cape Town.
“We need a new government because for more than 20 years the DA has failed to deliver dignified housing,” Jacobs said.
Parties raise concerns about overcrowding and safety
He also called for black leadership in the city, criticising residents who continued to vote for a white mayor.
“What we need as black Capetonians is black leadership. You who keep on voting for a white man are part of the problem,” he said.
GOOD mayoral candidate Brett Herron also criticised the City’s approach to urban development, arguing that residents continued to live in overcrowded conditions.
“Anybody who is an urban development specialist will tell you that this City’s approach is wrong and has been wrong for years. People live in cramped spaces,” Herron said.
Al Jama-ah mayoral hopeful Shameemah Dollie raised concerns about the safety of newly built housing units.
“Even the new units you have built raise safety concerns. How sure are you that the units you have recently built are safe?” she asked.
EFF representative Virgill Gericke said his party would consider expropriating land to address the housing crisis and ensure residents had access to housing and essential facilities.
“If we need to expropriate land, we will do so. Our people need access to housing and facilities,” Gericke said.