Basic services such as sanitation, maintenance and security will be back to normal at the Diepkloof hostel following the intervention by the MEC for Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo this evening.
The MEC convened a successful meeting with the leadership of the Diepkloof Hostel Residents Committee in which all the key administrative challenges linked to the cut-off of services were addressed. The services were cut-off following the expiry of contracts for contractors who were providing such services.
“We are making internal arrangements to make sure that this problem is never repeated. We have also agreed with the City of Johannesburg to attend to all the issues related to the management of contracts for services being provided at the hostel,” commented MEC Mamabolo.
MEC Mamabolo criticised the neglect of the issues raised by residents insisting that their anger was legitimate and that the protest could have been avoided. He also thanked the hostel residents for disbanding the protest action in favour of cooperating with government to ensure the matter is resolved.
The situation had normalised on Thursday and no protest actions were reported after the City of Johannesburg responded swiftly to clean and empty the toilets.
“We are mindful of the fact that the hostel must be completed and handed over to the City of Johannesburg for the ultimate allocations of beneficiaries. We are committed working around the clock to complete the project,” MEC Mamabolo added.
The meeting was also attended by CoJ MMC for Housing Dan Bovu, Special Advisor to the Premier, Eric Xayiya and the local ward councillor Solly Mogase. MEC Mamabolo also condemned the vandalism of the new units at Diepkloof hostel.
“This act of vandalism has set us back, and will only add to the frustrations and delays in completing the new hostel development.”
For more information:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
