Communities in and around eMalahleni, Mpumalanga have been assured of improved living conditions. Poorly built houses, inept allocation of houses and beneficiary management, land invasion, scarcity of water, slow phase in issuing title deeds are some of the concerns raised by the community during public hearings currently underway at the municipality. Human Settlements MEC, Violet Siwela joined other government departments in committing to address the plight of the people.
This emerged during the annual oversight programme - 'Taking the Legislature to the People' - which serves as a platform to meet and interact with communities with the sole purpose of addressing their concerns that continue to plague them. MEC Violet Siwela whowas inundated with a string of complaints by locals complaining about poor living conditions at informal settlements such as Coronation and Spring-valley assured the residents that the conditions will be improved.
"The department has come to a decision together with the municipality to move the people from this area to the newly 329 units that have been built at Klarinet," said Siwela. Residents complained that there is slow development at the infamous Coronation informal settlements. This is a view the Executive Mayor Salome Sithole and MEC Siwela clarified for the residents and community at large. “Coronation cannot be suitable for settling people and as such it is difficult to even bring proper development in the area despite the community being relentless that the area has been approved for their dwelling,” charged Siwela. The department
is currently delivering an integrated human settlements project at Klarinet which comprises of low income houses, rental accommodation, halls, schools and other social facilities to address informal settlements such as Coronation.
She also attended to alleged selling of RDPs by indicating that any act of illegal dealings in RDPs will not be tolerated and shall be dealt with accordingly. "We cannot be responsible for the inappropriate irregularities by other officials. Since we are here to interact with you in order to respond to your needs, it is only fair that you tell us everything that concerns you so that we may as well get a clear direction when helping you," emphasized Siwela.
One beneficiary, Elliot Khoza, who needed clarity on several settlements issues, appealed with MEC Siwela to assist him get his title deed from the municipality. "I have been called a tenant in my own yard and I haven't had peace as there are people who have swindled my titled deed as a result I was arrested," cried Khoza.
The MEC has promised a swift intervention to Khoza's matter.
The ‘Taking the Legislature to the People’ ends with Premier Mabuza replying on SoPA this Friday.
Enquiries:
Freddy Ngobe
Tel: 013 766 6014
Cell: 082 859 4630
E-mail: flngobe@mpg.gov.za
