Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo today convened a series of consultations with three community groups to resolve key outstanding issues raised during the election campaign and prioritised by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura.
The meeting with Lenasia Concerned Residents Group, agreed to finally resolve the illegal land invasions matter which resulted in demolitions of houses. A new process has been reinstated which will ensure that the matter is fast-tracked and finally resolved.
The parties further recommitted to co-operate and ensure that the matter is speedily resolved following concerns that the initial Ministerial process had slowed down.
MEC Mamabolo requested the meeting with the residents to express government’s commitment to resolving the Lenasia matter and to ensure that the Special Lenasia Intervention Task Team (SPLIT) wraps up its work and bring the matter to finality. MEC Mamabolo committed to accelerate the resolution on this matter.
“I am going to undertake further consultations with various stakeholders to request that SPLIT urgently set up the process to conclude this matter and find a way forward”, said MEC Mamabolo. MEC further indicated that the matter has gone on for far too long and “...sooner than later the matter must be wound-up and closed properly. We do not want a situation where communities have grudges and lingering pain against their own government”
MEC Mamabolo also raised concern about the ongoing illegal land invasions in Lenasia. He expressed his unhappiness that these illegal invasions only serve to exacerbate and compound the land problems in Lenasia.
“In my meeting with the residents’ leadership today I appealed to them to assist with asking the residents to refrain from these invasions. Our first call is to appeal to the community not to invade the land. Law enforcement will be the last resort. For now, we are making a call to the community of Lenasia and other affected areas in the south of Johannesburg, to stop land invasions. We don’t want to witness again what happened in Lenasia in 2012”, Mamabolo appealed.
MEC Mamabolo said government also remain opposed to illegal land invasions and illegal occupation of RDP houses.
MEC Mamabolo also met Community leaders of Tswelopele Ext 8 in Tembisa. Issues discussed include the construction of a bridge in the area, the pace of RDP housing, illegal occupation of houses, sanitation and electricity. MEC Mamabolo will have a follow-up meeting with the community to report back on the programme of action of how their concerns will be addressed.
MEC Mamabolo also met evicted residents of Newtown. He announced that a legal counsel was appointed by the Department to investigate the liquidation process as well as the roles played by other key stakeholders. The liquidation of their property (Car Gardens) saw residents thrown out of their homes. The MEC also raised concern about the legal status of the evicted residents given that most had already been granted housing subsidies. The law doesn’t allow residents to benefit twice and this could mean that the evicted residents may in future be unable to access other government housing programmes.
MEC also had engagement with people of Phumula, Ekurhuleni who are facing evictions by banks on state subsidised houses. Mamabolo committed to investigating the matter.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
