The Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo has brokered an agreement between the leadership of Greater Westonaria Concerned Residents Association (GWCRA) and the Westonaria District Municipality over the allocation of 1 000 houses in Botlhabela Borwa.
This flagship housing development is one of the high priority mixed housing project in the area. The allocation of houses in the area was stalled following a planned court interdict by the Association disputing the validity of the beneficiary list.
The agreement is in the interest of the community and the people of Westonaria. It is part of our efforts to restore peace and stability in Bekkersdal, commented MEC Mamabolo after signing the agreement.
"It has averted what could have become a longstanding court battle which could have taken a long time to resolve and negatively affected the residents, who have been waiting for houses for a very long time," said MEC Mamabolo.
The agreement will lead to the appointment of an independent audit firm which will verify the housing list in dispute. MEC Mamabolo said that the agreement paved a way for a reputable audit firm to be appointed to verify the list. The auditing firm will not deviate and will use government policies to ascertain who qualifies for the houses, he said.
Mamabolo said the appointed firm will be given three months to complete and finalise the allocation list. The time frame is reasonable compared to a long court battle that will have negative effects on the people who are suppose to benefit. Also we will be able to allocate houses to the people whose names are not in dispute, he said.
MEC Mamabolo said that he will continue to engage with the association on others matters that have been affecting the area. Wonder Modise, Secretary of the GWCRA, said the agreement showed that the organisation was not about protest action but also improving service delivery. Modise said that the resolution taken today will mean a lot in addressing housing backlog in the area.
Thabo Ndlovu, Municipal Manager of Westornaria Local Municipality, said that the agreement was encouraging and hoped it was a beginning of a new trend in the manner the association and municipality engage on service delivery in the future.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240.
