Human Settlements
1. (a) How many people reside in Powertown, Mossel Bay, (b) how many and which (i) housing and (ii) toilets are available for them, (c) who is the contractor responsible for the removal of sewage and (d) how regularly is it removed;
2. whether there are any plans to upgrade the housing and/or the toilets or to relocate the residents; if decided upon relocation, (a) when will this happen and (b) where and to what extent was the community consulted?
1. (a) The latest statistics on the number of the people living in Powertown is not available. However, in terms of a survey conducted by the municipality during August/September 2011, 137 structures were recorded. To prevent further structures from being erected, the municipality utilises their Law Enforcement officials to patrol the area on a regular basis. Currently, the municipality has 152 beneficiaries recorded on their Housing Demand Database for the area. Municiaplity has indicated that they will make provision for 152 housing opportunities.
(b) (i)-(ii) There are 86 toilet structures in Power Town which exceeds the minimum service standard for access to basic services which is one toilet for every five families.
(c) Pierre Marias who trades under CCM Transport is responsible for the sewarage removal. He was appointed by the Municipality in terms of an annual tender to provide the service.
(d) Portable Flush Toilets are cleaned three times a week.
2. The existing Power Town community is located below the flood line and thus cannot be considered for upgrading at the current location. Plans are in place to provide formal housing, services and land tenure for the residents of Power Town at a different location, namely Sonskynvallei, Hartenbos.
(a) The intention is to start with the construction of services in July 2015 and when successfully completed it is anticipated that the top structures will be completed end September 2016.
(b) The Community was consulted on this process through a number of community meetings as well as sessions with representatives from the community. The last community meeting, where the final relocation plans were discussed, took place in January 2013. Since then, several meetings took place between representatives from Power Town and the Municipality on an ad hoc basis.
