Stop occupying BNG houses illegally in Marikana- Mahumapelo
Bokone Bophirima Premier, Supra Mahumapelo says serious actions must be taken against community members who are continuing to illegally occupy the recently built Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses in Marikana near Rustenburg.
The Premier visited the area on Sunday, 3 April, following the community clashes over the illegal occupation of BNG houses in ward 32 of Marikana.
Speaking to the media after a community meeting, Premier Mahumapelo said the community alleges that there are people believed to be members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) who are occupying these houses illegally.
“We are going to engage the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, as well as the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, David van Rooyen, to help in ensuring that these houses are occupied by the rightful beneficiaries.
We are not going to allow lawlessness to prevail in Marikana, while there are clear laws governing our country,” said Premier Mahumapelo.
The R700 million worth Marikana Housing Project was earlier this year handed over to the beneficiaries by Minister Sisulu.
One of the residents, Serame Serengwane told Premier Mahumapelo during a community meeting that most of the people occupying these houses are not the rightful beneficiaries.
“We urge you Premier to please intervene because the rightful people are being chased away from their houses,” said Serengwane.
Residents also complained about intimidation and harassment by members of a particular political party, as well as poor performance by the police in their area.
Premier Mahumapelo promised to engage the office of the Police Commissioner as well as the Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, to deal with many unresolved cases that the community of Marikana have raised.
“Key to our deliberation with the Minister and the Commissioner will also be to address the security issue in this area, before and during the upcoming local government elections. The concerns raised by the community relating to how some of the political parties conduct themselves during their campaigning exercises will also be discussed with the IEC,” he said.
