YizoYizo informal settlement to be upgraded
MEC for the Department of Human Settlements in the North West Nono Maloyi, confirmed to the residents of YizoYizo informal settlement in Rustenburg that their settlement will be upgraded and that they will get services. MEC Maloyi’s confirmation was made during a meeting with more than 200 residents of Yizoyizo.
It is estimates that there might be over a thousand families living in the informal settlement that is located next to the industrial area in Tlhabane location. The informal settlements was established more than 20 years back. The department of Human Settlements relocated over 600 of some of the residents previously to Seralemeng, however the number of families continued to settle in Yizoyizo.
MEC Maloyi however indicated to residents that the department is going to resolve the Yizoyizo situation with the necessary speed it requires as he described the living conditions in the areas as hazardous. “Its been years since the people of Yizoyizo have been living in such situation. I will personally monitor progress in the upgrading of this informal settlement. We need to build houses as soon as possible, and restore the dignity of this residents. It’s a constitutional mandate,” said the determined Maloyi.
Ms Anna Ditsebe a long-time resident of Yizoyizo, who is in her late 60’s, could not hide her happiness after she was given hope, by the good news from MEC Maloyi. Ditsebe said that she and other residents have been asking the municipality to intervene and remedy the living conditions in the informal settlement, but to no fruition.
“Today’s message was music to our ears. We are more hopeful now that government is here, we will see much improvement in the areas and services will be rendered. We stayed here for more than 20 years and we are optimistic that we will finally get houses and basic services rendered. It’s been a serious struggle, but now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Ditsebe.
MEC Maloyi further announced that the department of Public Works and the Rustenburg local municipality have availed land for human settlements development. The MEC instructed that the process must start immediately and young people should be employed to assist with verification of households and beneficiary administration.
MEC Maloyi also dismissed allegations that his move to intervene in the Yizoyizo challenge was more on electioneering. He said that his has been in government not more than a year, and part of his key priorities when he assumed duty as the MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs was to ensure that services are delivered in local government.
He said that he has also prioritised, unblocking blocked projects and ensuring that legible beneficiaries receive habitable homes and the creation of sustainable Human Settlements in the North West.
MEC’s spokesperson
Tumelo Maruping
Cell: 072 901 7653
