Gauteng MEC for COGTA Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo held a follow up meeting at the Gauteng Legislature today and recommitted that the department will work with the Ekurhuleni municipality and the residents of Barcelona to find solution to their problems.
This comes after Mamabolo visited Barcelona informal settlement in Etwatwa Ekurhuleni at the weekend as part of a door to door visit to engage with the residents.
Resident, Irene Ngobeni, 65, told the MEC that they did not have basic services such as water, electricity and toilets.
“I use a pit toilet, I am old, one day I will fall in it, hence I am asking government to intervene,” said Ngobeni.
Mamogati Hatlile, 75, said that two people were moved into her stand without her knowledge, while Lettie Mnguni, 67, said that the size of her stand was reduced.
MEC Mamabolo said that the different spheres of government were going to work together to find a holistic solution to the problems of Barcelona.
“We will also deal with the allegations of corruption in relation to the allocation of stands. It is important to remember that government is opposed to corruption and that corruption is crime against the poor. We will take action against government officials if they are found to be involved in corrupt activities here”, Mamabolo told the residents.
Mamabolo also visited the home of the late Selina Zondo, 94, after hearing about her death. Zondo was one of the elderly people who had recently marched to government offices asking government to intervene in Barcelona.
The MEC said that government was also going to create a database of people living in Barcelona which will assist government in identifying residents who have approved housing subsidies, those who cannot qualify for RDP houses but also need assistance and to identify those trying to beat the system to get more than one house.
Mamabolo said that each case on the database will be addressed individually and on merit.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Tel: 011 355 4873
Cell: 079 897 2240
