The Western Cape High Court ruled today, 5 December 2011, that the Provincial Department of Human Settlement’s allocation of the first 59 houses in Mama's Project, Pelican Park, must go ahead.
Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Madikizela has said that people who have been a part of the project the longest, and who are also the oldest, must be given houses first. This means that people who most deserve the houses will get them first, and that the department can ensure the accelerated delivery of housing opportunities.
This allocation was challenged in court by some members of the community. The Western Cape Government welcome today’s ruling as it supports Provincial Minister Madikizela’s decision that the most fair criteria must be used, and also that authority for housing allocation must ultimately rest with the Provincial Department of Human Settlements.
The first people will get the keys for their houses on Wednesday, 7 December.
Included below are excerpts from the read court order.
“The allocation of the first 59 houses will proceed forthwith in terms of the Minister’s allocation made on 16 November 2011.”
“It is recorded that the allocation of the first 59 houses may be reviewed by the Minister, in the event of written representations being received by him from interested and affected parties on or before 31 January 2012, and upon good cause being established for such review (and amendment if necessary) of the Minister’s allocation. The Minister will, as soon as reasonably possible, apply his mind to, and decide upon, any such representations;”
Enquiries:
Bruce Oom
Spokesman for Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela
Human Settlements, Provincial Government of the Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 6622
Fax: 021 483 3888
Cell: 072 4655 177
