The Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing MEC Kgaugelo Lekgoro and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality have warned against the illegal occupation of RDP houses in the province emphasising that the act is unlawful.
This announcement comes after threats made by protesting residents of Thokoza in Ekurhuleni who are threatening to illegally occupy the houses in Eden Park Ext five. MEC Lekgoro said, “Residents will never jump the housing queue process by embarking on acts of illegally occupying RDP houses in the province. We cannot tolerate a situation where people just break the law with impunity."
The Eden Park Ext five housing project will provide about 2 404 houses to the qualifying beneficiaries who have already been identified. The MEC added that those who continue to transgress and carry on as if there are no laws in this country, will soon face the full might of the law. “People will never be allowed to manipulate processes that have been put in place because that is definitely an act of undermining the government.”
The MEC said there was an urgent need to emphasise the fact that all applicants have an equal opportunity to housing assistance. “Again we want to urge citizens to act within the law when raising pertinent issues like housing. They must refrain from violence and threats of illegally occupying houses which have already been allocated to qualifying beneficiaries.”
The allocation houses remain the responsibility of the department and no one else. Like in any other municipality in Gauteng, including Eden Park, the department is adamant that in the Ekurhuleni Municipality the allocation of houses is a fair, transparent and is done in an equitable manner, the MEC pointed out.
In supporting the MEC's tough stance the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality warned local residents and council officials against any illegal practice in the issuing of RDP houses making it clear that all perpetrators regardless of who they are will be dealt with effectively and decisively because no one is above the law.
For more information contact:
Fred Mokoko
Cell: 082 447 8407
Zweli Dhlamini
Cell: 082 573 6464
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
3 August 2009
Source: Department of Local Government and Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.housing.gpg.gov.za/)
