IT HAS been a 10 month wait for electricity for a group of military veterans from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
The group were provided with free houses after they had illegally occupied another housing project in the area, Aloe Ridge flats, meant for low income households.
The former freedom fighters, who were allocated housing in uMshwathi Ridge, situated near Trust Feed, just outside Pietermaritzburg, has expressed their dissatisfaction, saying that although they were thrilled to finally have a place to call home, the absence of electricity has turned their new lives into a struggle for survival.
“I cannot buy perishable food items such as meat because I cannot keep it in the fridge as there is no electricity,” said Nathi Mkhize, one of the beneficiaries,“Sometimes I have to fetch wood to make a fire for cooking.”
The new homes, featuring two-bedrooms with an open-plan kitchen and sitting areas, has solar panels on the roofs that provide some lighting.
However, the solar systems were reliant on clear weather—meaning that on cloudy or rainy days, the veterans would be left in the dark.
Of the 12 completed homes at uMshwathi Ridge, all await the installation of electricity.
More sites had been already prepared for the construction of houses for other veterans, although it was unclear when this would this take place.
When Department of Human Settlement then-deputy minister Pam Tshwete handed over the 12 houses in January, the department said there was a total 32 houses to be built.
Mkhize said, “The invasion of Aloe Ridge was to put pressure on the government to build us these houses. We have houses now, but no electricity.”
The veterans voiced their frustration over the lack of response from the uMshwathi Municipality, the Department of Human Settlements and the Military Veterans Department.
Mkhize, speaking on behalf of other affected military veterans, said that the mayor of uMshwathi Municipality had not been forthcoming in discussing their grievances or the timeline for the electricity services.
“The mayor does not want to meet with us and tell us when we will get electricity,” he said.
In light of their circumstances, the veterans have expressed a need for employment opportunities, saying that the lack of jobs could drive them to unlawful activities to make ends meet.
The disconnection has left many, like Sandile Khumalo, feeling a sense of frustration, saying that while they appreciated their new homes, the lack of basic necessities was making life unbearable.
Khumalo said that he did not like living at Aloe Ridge but he was desperate for accommodation.
“We did not like living in those flats (Aloe Ridge) because they do not have privacy. You cannot even slaughter a cow for a traditional ceremony, there is no space. As a result, we were happy when we were relocated to this place (uMshwathi Ridge), which I proudly call home,” he said.
He said while he was living at Aloe Ridge he was able to make some money to survive the month using his dress-making skills.
“I have sewing machines in my house (uMshwathi Ridge), but there is no electricity to connect them,” he said.
uMshwathi Municipality Mayor Mandla Zondi said that their contribution to the project was limited to land donation and the solar panels intended to provide temporary solutions.
“We are still waiting for the Energy Department to provide a budget allocation for electricity, which may take time,” said Zondi, adding that efforts were being made to address the veterans’ needs.
The Department of Human Settlement did not comment at the time of going to print.