1 000 title deeds to be handed over in KwaThema

KwaThema – Paul Mashatile, the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, was supposed to lead the meeting but he did not show up.

Mashatile was supposed to hand over 1 000 title deeds to residents in the area.

Ekurhuleni MMC for human settlements Lesiba Mpya took over and issued 11 of the 1 000 title deeds to the elders.

Also read: Residents receive long-awaited title deeds

Mpya says the title deeds will restore the dignity of the residents by giving them ownership of the land they occupy.

“We are working around the clock to ensure that by next year all those who applied for houses in 1996 have houses and title deeds,” Mpya says.

Mpya encouraged residents to stand up and fight the scourge of substance abuse.

“It is not only the responsibility of government, but all stakeholders.

“We know the people who sell these drugs. Let us work with the police to rid our streets of drugs,” he says.

Residents were given the opportunity to raise their grievances about housing.

Also read: Title deeds delivered to owners

Concerned resident Bongani Hlombe says it is disappointing that 25 years into democracy there are still people who are forced to live in miserable conditions.

“Year after year, one leader after the other, we are fed empty promises.

“We are forced to live cramped inside shacks because when we try to move out, there is no available land.

“MMCs tell us about the process of buying land, which drags on for decades. We are today saying enough is enough,” he says.

One beneficiary, Monnakhotla Makgato, says he is happy to finally have ownership of his home.

“I have waited for years for this day. I will now relax, knowing that my children will have a place they can call home when I die,” he says.

The title deeds are readily available to registered residents to be collected at the Customer Care Centre.