Liesl van der Schyff|Published
More than seven years after over 900 housing opportunities were expected to be completed in Imizamo Yethu, residents are still waiting for answers, with the City of Cape Town confirming that the project has changed and the revised development remains in the planning stages.
The confirmation follows a fire in the Hout Bay informal settlement on Sunday, which prompted community activist Roscoe Jacobs to question the delays and demand a construction timetable for the Phase 3 housing development.
Around 80 informal structures were destroyed in the fire, displacing hundreds
According to Jacobs, the City previously announced more than 900 housing opportunities on the old forestry land between Imizamo Yethu and Hout Bay Main Road, with services and housing structures expected to be completed by June 2019.
He said the City reported in 2022 that major infrastructure works had been completed, but residents were still waiting for clarity on when homes would be built.
City confirms change to housing plans
Responding to questions from the Cape Argus, City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo confirmed that Phase 3 would no longer proceed as a Community Residential Units (CRU) project because of unsuitable ground conditions.
“The Phase 3 project is no longer a Community Residential Units (CRU) project as the ground conditions were deemed unsuitable.”
Tyhalibongo said the development had since been handed over to the City’s Informal Settlements department.
“This project has subsequently been handed over to Informal Settlements which is currently in the planning phase for a larger alternative building technology (ABT) project which will yield increased opportunities.
“This is in conjunction with an NGO which will be constructing these units. We are currently awaiting land use approval to upgrade the stormwater infrastructure to accommodate this development.”
The City did not provide a construction timetable or specify how many housing opportunities the revised development would deliver.
It also did not say when the ground conditions were found to be unsuitable.
Questions over R7 million allocation
Jacobs also questioned what the R7 million allocated to Phase 3 in the City’s 2026/27 budget would deliver.
“The City’s 2026/27 budget lists R7 million for Phase 3. It must explain what this allocation will fund, provide a firm construction timetable and report progress to residents.”
The City’s response did not specify what the allocation would fund.
Jacobs said the latest fire had again highlighted the need for permanent housing in Imizamo Yethu.
“This fire again highlights the need to address the housing crisis in Imizamo Yethu. The DA-led City of Cape Town must move the Imizamo Yethu Phase 3 project from plans and infrastructure works to the delivery of homes.”
Imizamo Yethu Development Forum chairperson Loyiso Skoti called for authorities to work with organisations and residents on the ground and communicate their plans.
"How will people know about these plans that they have? I was lucky to go to the Premier's first Thursday of the month where I sat with the MMC...
"Since 2024, 2025, it was the time of signing MOU's with the City, everything has delayed.
"What we need is that our community get homes because they have been waiting for a very long time. People need decent homes. When people don't get proper housing we will always experience these challenges when it comes to fire disasters."
Tyhalibongo said the City remained committed to completing housing projects as quickly as possible.
“It is in the City’s interest to roll out projects timeously. There are certain processes that must be followed.”
“Community cooperation and support is key to completing projects within the fastest practical time possible.”