12 May 2006
The Gauteng MEC for Housing, Nomvula Mokonyane has noted with great concern
recent media reports and problems raised by residents of Lenasia, Eldorado Park
and Ennerdale regarding the transfer of properties as part of government's
effort to promote home ownership especially in the formerly "own affairs"
areas.
The Regularisation and Transfer of Properties commonly known as (RETRO) was
introduced by the provincial Department of Housing in order to deal with
housing problems and ensure that people that have been staying in government
owned houses are given those houses as part of housing delivery programme of
government.
"I have noted with great concern the problems that ordinary people have been
facing since this programme was initiated and in most cases poor people have
now become victims of absent landlords who are now claiming these properties
and evicting families who have been staying there for more than ten years,"
said Mokonyane.
"I have instructed that all pending evictions must stop immediately until I
have personally dealt with the matter. I will look at each case and where
evictions have been carried out and resulted in displacing families, we will
see what possible interventions can be made to assist affected families," said
Mokonyane.
The MEC has also asked for a full situational report concerning the
implementation of the project in the three areas and until a proper assessment
has been made, no families will be evicted from the houses they are currently
occupying. All officials currently responsible for the project will have to
account for each case that has resulted in people being evicted and where there
are disputes between families.
"We cannot afford to have ordinary people becoming victims of a project that
was initiated by government and meant to alleviate their situation and create a
better life," said Mokonyane.
Enquiries:
Mongezi Mnyani
Cell: 082 602 5358
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
12 May 2006
