Human Settlements
- Whether he is aware of the structural defects of the houses in Wolwedans, Groot Brak River, Mossel Bay, and that various houses had to be vacated by the residents as they are not suitable for human habitation; if so, (a) what are the most recent findings about that situation there and (b) what action has been planned for that area;
- whether the action includes the relocation of the residents of Wolwedans; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the time frame and (b)(i) how is the crisis being resolved, (ii) by whom and (iii) what is the time frame?
*4. (1) My department is aware of the state of houses in Wolwedans, Groot Brak
River, Mossel Bay. The Consultant Structural Engineer (Aurecon) did the investigation on the cause of cracks/damages on the houses constructed in Wolwedans. The NHBRC also appointed their Structural Engineer to investigate the problems reported on those houses. The outcome of both investigations indicated that the cracks on the houses were due to the landslides in the area, therefore not caused by any structural defects.
- The three houses that were found to be seriously affected by the landslide were demolished and the residences were vacated to a TRA facilities located in the Erf identified by the Municipality. The other 16 houses in the area where landslides occurred were found to be structurally sound and the integrity of the houses are still intact.
- The NHBRC indicated that due to the fact that damages on the houses were not caused by poor workmanship and because the damages were not due to any structural defects, the warranty does not cover for the natural disaster. My Department has decided to rebuild houses for the three families that were vacated to the TRA. The other 16 houses will be repaired for minor cracks in accordance with the method statement provided by the Structural Engineer.
- There are no plans to relocate the entire community of Wolwedans as most of the houses are still structurally sound. The effect on the 16 houses by the landslides are minor and can be repaired.
The three new houses will be constructed in an area which has not been affected by the landslide. My department has approved funding to re-build the three houses and repair those houses which require repairs.
- Mossel Bay Municipality has identified a portion of land which will be used for the three new houses. The Municipal Planning Department is busy with the sub-division of the erven. It is anticipated that the construction will start as soon as the sub-division and the registration of the erven with the Surveyor General is finalised. It is envisaged that the work will commence by the third quarter of the current financial year.
b)(i-iii)The Mossel Bay Municipality together with my department are
embarking on the process of procuring the service of Geotechnical
Engineer to determine possible solution to fix the landslide. The
municipality is continuously monitoring the development in the area. Furthermore, my department has resolved to implement the remedial measures to prevent further landslides, as a result of illegal mining which is compromising the structural integrity of the houses.
