Parts of Dutywa came to a standstill this week as residents of Zone 14 took to the streets to protest prolonged delays in the upgrading of their informal settlement. Demonstrators barricaded major roads using rocks, debris and burning tyres, causing significant traffic disruptions throughout the area.
The protesters directed their grievances at the Amathole District Municipality and the Provincial Department of Human Settlements, accusing both entities of allowing the housing project to stall despite repeated commitments. Community members say they have waited years for basic services and formal housing, with many families still living in structures without adequate water, sanitation or electricity.
Community leader Siniko Mazinyo voiced the collective frustration of residents, emphasizing that the community has exhausted formal channels without seeing tangible progress. “We have written letters, attended meetings, and followed every procedure, yet our situation remains unchanged,” Mazinyo stated. “We are calling for urgent intervention from higher authorities to unblock this project and deliver on the promise of decent housing.”
The Zone 14 settlement, established over a decade ago as part of a relocation initiative, was supposed to be upgraded through a structured informal settlement programme. However, residents report that Phase 3 of the project remains pending due to unresolved funding approvals. Similar delays have affected other nearby settlements, compounding the housing backlog in the region.
Local officials have acknowledged the community’s concerns but point to intergovernmental coordination challenges and budgetary constraints as contributing factors. The municipality has reiterated that the provincial department holds the primary mandate for housing delivery, while the district plays a supporting role in infrastructure planning.
In response to the protest, authorities engaged with community representatives and agreed to fast-track consultations on the outstanding project phases. Residents were asked to compile updated beneficiary lists to assist with planning and allocation processes.
Siniko Mazinyo welcomed the commitment to dialogue but stressed that the community expects concrete timelines and visible action. “Talks are important, but our people need roofs over their heads. We will monitor progress closely and continue to advocate peacefully until our demands are met.”
The protest has drawn attention to broader challenges in housing delivery across the Eastern Cape, where infrastructure backlogs, funding delays and administrative bottlenecks continue to affect thousands of households awaiting formal accommodation.
