Pretoria - Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo has called for calm in Thembelihle, in Lenasia, following unrest in the area in the last few days.
Roads were barricaded and traffic heavily disrupted in a protest over houses, sanitation and electricity.
MEC Mamabolo said the provincial government remains sensitive and concerned about the needs of the community.
“On Tuesday, I delegated two senior officials in my Office to meet Thembelihle community leadership after the protestors alleged that we did not respond to their memorandum. This was one of many feedback meetings we held with the community since they submitted their memorandum and we will continue engaging until the matters are finally resolved,” MEC Mamabolo said on Thursday.
The Tuesday meeting, according to the MEC, resolved that the department be given two weeks to consolidate the report on issues raised by Thembelihle community.
“What must be borne in mind is that most of these issues require multi-stakeholder response such as Joburg Water for water and sanitation and Eskom and City Power for electricity supply to the area.
“Our work is to co-ordinate these stakeholders and roll out of their services takes some time. It is for this reason that we plead to the community to stay calm, refrain from violence and allow government time and space to respond,” MEC Mamabolo said.
One of the impediments to human settlements developments in the area is dolomite, however residents have contested this.
The department said it will approach the Council for Geoscience for opinion on the land safety in the area and a way forward.
Over the years, residents of Thembelihle have been gradually relocated to the nearby Lehae mixed housing development. – SAnews.gov.za
