Pretoria – The Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Jacob Mamabolo, has met with three community groups to resolve matters raised during the election campaign.
The MEC met with the Lenasia Concerned Residents’ Group, where it was agreed that a new process will be started to resolve illegal land invasions, which resulted in the demolition of houses in 2012.
The parties recommitted to cooperate and ensure that the matter is speedily resolved, following concerns that the initial ministerial process had slowed down.
MEC Mamabolo said he wanted to see to it that the Special Lenasia Intervention Task Team (SPLIT) wraps up its work.
“I am going to undertake further consultations with various stakeholders to request that SPLIT urgently sets up the process to conclude this matter and find a way forward,” said MEC Mamabolo.
He said the situation had gone on for far too long.
“We do not want a situation where communities have grudges and lingering pain against their own government,” he said.
However, the MEC said the ongoing illegal land invasions in Lenasia only made matters worse.
“In my meeting with the residents’ leadership, I appealed to them to assist with asking the residents to refrain from these invasions.
“Our first call is to appeal to the community not to invade land. Law enforcement will be the last resort. For now, we are making a call to the community of Lenasia and other affected areas in the south of Johannesburg to stop land invasions. We don’t want to witness again what happened in Lenasia in 2012,” he said.
MEC Mamabolo said government remained opposed to illegal land invasions and illegal occupation of RDP houses.
MEC meets Tembisa, Newtown communities
MEC Mamabolo also met community leaders of Tswelopele Ext 8 in Tembisa.
Issues discussed include the construction of a bridge in the area, the pace of RDP housing, illegal occupation of houses, sanitation and electricity.
The MEC will have a follow-up meeting with the community to report back on how their concerns will be addressed.
He also met with the evicted residents of Newtown. He announced that legal counsel was appointed by his department to investigate the liquidation process, as well as the role played by other key stakeholders in the eviction process.
The liquidation of Carr Gardens saw residents thrown out of their homes. The MEC also raised concern about the legal status of the evicted residents, given that most had already been granted housing subsidies.
The law does not allow residents to benefit twice, and this could mean that the evicted residents may in future be unable to access other government housing programmes.
MEC Mamabolo also met with the people of Phumula in Ekurhuleni, who are facing evictions by banks on state subsidised houses. The MEC committed to investigate the matter. – SAnews.gov.za
