11 July 2007
The Gauteng Department of Housing's efforts to eradicate all informal
settlements in the province by 2014 received a boost.
On Tuesday, 10 July 2007, the Gauteng MEC for Housing Nomvula Mokonyane
together with the Executive Mayor of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan municipality,
Duma Nkosi, launched the Etwatwa Extension 34 and 37 housing projects.
The launch of these multi-million rand housing projects would result in the
number of informal settlements in Ekurhuleni being drastically reduced.
Ekurhuleni municipality has the highest number of informal settlements in the
province. Some of these informal settlements need to be upgraded or relocated
to other areas with habitable land. The housing projects will deliver a total
of 8 488 formal structures and other social amenities.
Addressing the Etwatwa community during the launch, Mokonyane said when the
government made a commitment a few years ago to formalise all informal
settlements in Gauteng by 2009 and eradicate them by 2014, sceptics and the
opposition parties dismissed this as just a political rhetoric.
She warned the residents that there are people who are trying to undermine
the good work government is doing to change the lives of the poor. "You should
stop listening to those people who are trying to frustrate our efforts because
we are the only government that provide houses for free and we will continue to
do that," said Mokonyane.
The houses in areas like Barcelona will be built where people live instead
of relocating them. However, the MEC appealed to all the residents whose shacks
are situated on the road reserve to allow the relocation process to take place
so that construction could start. "Your co-operation will allow us to finish
the project within the specified time. Resistance will only make our task of
providing houses even more difficult."
Mokonyane acknowledged that while government has made great strides in
providing houses to the people, a lot still needs to be done. "I urge those who
have not yet benefited to be patient with us. If we have given other people
houses it means that you will benefit too," said Mokonyane.
She also reminded residents that once a house has been built they are
expected to demolish their shacks.
For more information contact:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 082 561 3768
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 083 602 6169
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
11 July 2007
