Important Facts of the News
- Over five million people in South Africa live in informal settlements.
- Many of these settlements are located on land prone to flooding.
- A June 2025 flood in Eastern Cape killed more than 100 people and displaced thousands.
- People displaced in KwaZulu-Natal floods in 2022 remain in temporary shelters nearly three years later.
- South Africa has constitutional obligations to ensure access to adequate housing and essential services.
- Amnesty International’s report highlights gaps in disaster preparedness and urban planning.
- Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of flooding in low-income settlements.
- Residents often rely on charity rather than government support during seasonal floods.
- Government policies exist, but implementation is reported to be inconsistent and insufficient.
- The report is based on qualitative research conducted between February and September 2025.
Lack of Adequate Housing and Essential Services
A recent assessment by Amnesty International South Africa indicates that more than five million people residing in the country’s informal settlements continue to face serious risks due to inadequate housing conditions and weak access to essential public services. These communities often live in areas vulnerable to flooding, yet support remains limited when heavy rains occur. Many residents are left to manage the consequences of extreme weather events without meaningful government assistance.
The report, titled Flooded and Forgotten: Informal Settlements and the Right to Housing in South Africa, focuses particularly on conditions in Johannesburg, eThekwini and Cape Town. It highlights how the legacy of apartheid-era spatial inequality persists in the form of densely populated, underserved settlements where access to safe housing remains out of reach for millions.
Severe Flooding Underscores Urgent Need for Response
The deadly floods that struck Eastern Cape in June 2025, costing more than 100 lives and displacing thousands, have renewed conversations on disaster readiness. Although South Africa’s Disaster Management Act is intended to reduce vulnerability, evidence from affected settlements shows that preparedness and long-term support often fall short.
In KwaZulu-Natal, people who lost their homes in the 2022 floods remain in temporary accommodation that lacks proper living conditions. Some were later moved to areas that experienced renewed flooding in 2025, raising concerns over relocation planning and safety.
Climate Change Worsening the Situation
The report notes that climate change is intensifying seasonal flooding patterns, deepening the vulnerability of those living in informal settlements, many of whom already face poverty and limited resources. Residents in several metropolitan areas shared accounts of dealing with repeated flood damage with little to no official assistance. Those affected often depend on community support networks and civil society groups.
Human Rights Obligations and the Way Forward
South Africa has several laws and policy frameworks that recognize the right to adequate housing, clean water and sanitation. It is also a party to global human rights agreements that require the protection of these rights. However, the report points to a gap between commitments and measurable outcomes.
It suggests that authorities need to prioritize upgrading informal settlements, allocate sufficient resources for disaster risk reduction and ensure that housing and urban planning align with human rights standards. Improving access to safe living environments would help reduce future harm and uphold the dignity of affected communities.