The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has welcomed decision by the community of Winnie Mandela informal settlement to suspend a court case against government as the two parties work jointly to find a lasting solution to the housing problems raised by this community.
Yesterday Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo met with the Ekurhuleni Concerned Residents Association (ECRA) and their legal representative, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), to broker a deal and for the parties to find each other. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last night following this meeting.
The meeting follows after ECRA took legal action against the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Provincial and National Departments demanding that 133 beneficiaries of Winnie Mandela be either given new houses or formalised in the shacks where they are currently staying.
Mamabolo said that he was happy that the meeting led to the parties to suspend litigation and opted to settle out of court.
“In a month’s time we will come back with a full proposal on how we will respond and deliver to the 133 affected beneficiaries. The detailed plan will also include feasibility of upgrading where they are currently staying, availability of alternative housing in the area and realistic timeframes of when these will be done”, MEC Mamabolo said.
MEC Mamabolo also added that they have also enlisted the services of Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo Auditing firm to vet and verify the submitted list. “After the verification each person will be treated as a unique case so that the Department can find the best way to assist them,” MEC said.
Nomzamo Zondo, Director of Litigation at SERI said that they welcomed the initiative from MEC Mamabolo to address the housing needs of the residents of Winnie Mandela. “We hope that is the beginning of a long lasting relationship between the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the Community,” said Zondo.
The parties will again meet on the 14th of August for the Department to present a report so that the can agree on a way forward.
Enquiries:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
