Gauteng Premier David Makhura has appointed a five-person team of MECs and Mayors who will help the provincial government to develop a plan for Rapid Land Release.
The team includes MEC Uhuru Moiloa (Convenor), MEC Jacob Mamabolo, MEC Lebogang Maile, Executive Mayor Mzwandile Masina and Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga.
Their mandate “is to urgently develop a plan on rapid land release with specific timeframes. The team needs to identify land parcels owned by the local, provincial and national government which can be allocated to qualifying people for purposes outlined above,” the Gauteng Executive Council (EXCO) said in a statement after their meeting on Wednesday.
The land release plan is aimed at prioritising the release of land and identifying land parcels currently being unused. This will provide those who would rather build their own homes, land on which to do so, rather than have them wait for completed housing.
The provincial government says the released land will address housing, economic, and social-cohesion needs.
This follows the recent spate of protests over housing and land invasions in the province. This as the province faces the challenge of rapid urbanisation and in-migration. This places enormous pressure on housing delivery.
Since the dawn of democracy, Gauteng has delivered over 1.2 million houses which translates into 30% of the housing stock delivered nationally, however, the pressure remains.
The EXCO meeting discussed the electricity supply at Ncala Section in Katlehong which was cut by Eskom.
“This arbitrary action by Eskom has resulted in serious consequences in the area leading to the closure of schools, clinics and other public facilities as well as disruption of train services. All schools in the area are without electricity despite paying their bills regularly and on time,” the council noted.
The performance bonuses for the Department of Health employees are also on the agenda.
As such, the council approved a proposal to resolve the dispute relating to the non-payment of performance bonuses at the Department of Health.
“While mindful of the serious cash flow problems facing the department, the council acknowledged that employees expect payment of their performance bonuses in line with the Performance and Development Management System and the assessment process that has already been concluded.”
The council has mandated the Sub-Committee on Health to table a reasonable proposal to the trade unions representing the employees in the Department of Health with a view of reaching a settlement on the matter. - SAnews.gov.za
