11 September 2007
I have instructed the Department of Housing to look at legal solutions to
clearing the land after yesterday's violent protests by residents of the Joe
Slovo informal settlement.
We are convinced that we have done everything necessary to communicate our
policies and plans to residents.
Precisely because the N2 Gateway is a pilot project, we have bent over
backwards to ensure that we accommodated the challenges and problems we
encountered at every step.
Until now, no attempts have been made to force residents of the informal
settlement at Joe Slovo to move. Development processes were explained and
residents asked to move voluntarily to temporary accommodation in Delft.
We are now convinced that in order to protect property already constructed
at Joe Slovo and to ensure the integrity of development process we have to seek
legal intervention.
For more information contact:
Monwabisi Maclean
Cell: 082 882 2962
Issued by: Department of Housing
11 September 2007
