Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi successfully diffused tensions this afternoon at the Princess informal settlement after a night of protests, damage to property and barricading of major roads around the area. Earlier today Mmemezi met with the local leadership and the visibly angry residents of the settlement in order iron out their problems and to bring normality back to the area.
The violent protests were sparked by disputes over the allocation of temporary housing units in the area, which will house 340 families. The other cause for these protests was the rumour that some residents will be moved as far as Orange Farm.
“No one will be moved from this area and taken to Orange Farm. All the 2500 families living here will gradually be moved into decent triple story RDP structures, which will emulate the style of the beautiful buildings surrounding this place. The first group of 340 families will be moved to the temporary houses that we have built so that they can make way for infrastructure and for permanent housing structures to be built. Over and above fully subsidised RDP apartments, we are also going to build rental stocks so that those who can afford to pay can rent those apartments. In this way, everyone is a winner”, Mmemezi said.
Mmemezi also told the residents that some of them will be moved to a plot that was donated which is only a few kilometres away. In calming the angry crowd down, he explained to them that land in Gauteng was a scarcity, and that residents should be patient while government tries to source suitable land to build houses.
One of the concerns expressed by the residents was the failure of the ward councillor to address and to listen to their grievances. The ward is DA led but the majority of the residents in Princess informal settlements are ANC supporters. Mmemezi has since promised the residents that he will meet with the councillor in order to resolve problems around Princess informal settlement, but quickly warned, “Housing is a provincial competency, so feel free to contact my department when you have problems about housing”. A committee consisting of local representative, city and provincial housing officials was set up to manage the selection of families to be moved to the temporary housing structures.
The MEC ended meeting by urging residents not to allow themselves to be used by some elements in the community who purport to be people’s leaders who instigate them to commit acts violence while such leaders push their own personal political agendas at the expense of innocent communities. A few people were injured, while others missed work and some were arrested for public violence.
The meeting ended peacefully, and as instructed by MEC Mmemezi the residents they themselves cleared the barricades. When Mmemezi’s entourage left, all the roads were opened and everything was back to normal. Mmemezi was joined by Housing MMC Dan Bovu and Public Safety MMC Matshidiso Mfikoe from the Johannesburg Metro Council.
Enquiries:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
Source: Gauteng of Local Government and Housing
