relocation process
7 March 2009
North West MEC for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard Yawa
has responded favourably to renew please by some residents of Pomfret to be
relocated to Bray and Tosca. He assured the residents at a public hearing held
on Saturday afternoon that despite legal challenges to the relocation process,
the African National Congress (ANC) government will not abandon nor desert them
to be further subjugated by greedy, manipulative and insatiable exploiters
masquerading as philanthropists.
"As part of a compassionate and caring government, we could not ignore the
reality of the threat that asbestos poses to the health of the people that
reside in Pomfret in the long run. Your determination to relocate to healthy
and safe environments influenced my decision to approve the application by
Molopo Local Municipality for an allocation of a thousand housing subsidies for
housing developments in the identified areas. We trust that those of you who
wish to relocate to these areas on a voluntary basis will seize the opportunity
by registering for housing subsidies at your municipal offices," Yawa said.
The MEC indicated that Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has
committed to provide funding for bulk infrastructure, i.e. electricity, water
and sanitation for the envisaged housing development to meet the standards of
Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing policy. He further undertook to take up
challenges of sustaining service provision at the former military base as
highlighted by Mayor Bob Namusi in his overview of conditions at Pomfret with
the relevant government departments for urgent intervention and resolution.
In response to complaints of insufficient consultation towards adoption of
the proposed merger of Molopo with Kagisano Local Municipality, Yawa committed
to take up the matter with the Minister for Provincial and Local Government for
the consultation process to be re-opened before the matter is finalised by the
Municipal Demarcation Board. He urged the municipality to improve its public
participation processes and ward committee support.
The MEC made a passionate appeal for the community to work together with the
municipality. He said that though Molopo Local Municipality has a limited
revenue base, it has potential to grow and attract investments particularly in
the tourism sector.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 3814
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 384 5426
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing
7 March 2009
