weeks' time says Yawa
24 March 2009
As part of the programme for the eradication of informal settlements and
creation of vibrant and sustainable human settlements, North West MEC for
Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard Yawa, announced that a
contractor will be on site in two weeks' time (on Tuesday, 14 April 2009) for
the commencement of the R54,6 million Breaking New Ground Housing Development
Project. The project is earmarked for Rooigrond informal settlement outside
Mafikeng.
Though the area was provided with electricity in 2003 and water in 2007, the
project for the construction of 1 000 housing units in the area had to be
suspended and reallocated to the City of Tlokwe Municipality after the
appointed contractor was intimidated, threatened with violence and ultimately
dismissed from site by some of the residents in October 2007.
âWe have been misled for too long, the department should proceed with the
development on the earmarked site without delay. The expectation for us to
remain on the sites that were temporarily allocated to us by the municipality
is a delay tactic from those who are not interested in development and should
not be used to further frustrate governmentâs intention to provide us with
houses,â fifty five (55) year old father of five, August Maruping said with
passion.
âThe majority of us are tired of the squabbles that do not advance the
development of the community .People are playing games at our expense,â added
Maruping who is also a member of the Sonderwater residents committee as
divisions within the community resurfaced.
MEC Yawa, who was accompanied by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC)
for planning and development, Gaasite Legalatladi and the ward Councillor,
Boitumelo Phatudi and officials from his department, appealed to the community
to co-operate with the contractor to be reappointed for the project for it to
proceed without further delays.
âThose who do not need houses should not disadvantage those who need houses
by blocking development. The relocation to a site that is within a walking
distance of about 200 meters is meant to meet our integrated and sustainable
human settlement objectives of providing the necessary economic opportunities
and other amenities such as agriculture projects, shopping complexes, health,
educational, sporting and recreational facilities for the community,â Yawa
concluded.
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, North
West
24 March 2009
