City’s rescue plan suffers

By Henry Booysen
02 April 2008

The City’s attempt to assist the backyard dwellers who were evicted from the N2 Gateway houses has suffered a stumbling block due to suppliers not being able to supply the galvanized iron sheets on time for the development of temporary homes to take place.

The City’s mayoral committee member on housing Dan Plato says that the setback means that the development of the houses can only take place in a month’s time.

The earliest expected delivery date for the galvanized iron sheets is now 5 May 2008. The City has investigated alternative structures such as wendy houses but these are not considered feasible for various reasons, including shack fire,” says Plato.

The supplier of the iron sheets who is metal producer ArcelorMittal South Africa told the city that there is a shortage of the sheets available.

According to Plato the prices of the sheets has risen sharply to a point where suppliers cannot hold to their tendered prices.

“In the meantime, the City’s Housing Directorate has appointed an independent contractor to prepare hardened sites measuring 7 meters by 7 meters for each family on a nearby piece of land in Delft.”