The Department of Housing in the City of Johannesburg have been taken to task by the Alexandra Land and Property Owners Association (Alpoa) and the committee of soccer clubs that play at the Rotary Sports Ground.
This after the department decided to use the sports ground in Alexandra to build temporary housing structures which will house hostel dwellers during a construction project at Madala Hostel. The decision was taken allegedly without consulting Alpoa or the commitee.
The chairperson of the committee, Mduduzi Mahlambi said they were only informed about the project after a construction company had already commenced with the erection of fencing around the sports facility.
“We were not consulted or informed about the department’s decision to use the facility that has been our home for decades,” he claimed.
“We were only called to be part of the meetings after a decision had already been taken. We were told by Ward 75 councillor Sannie Mavhona that they have found an alternative place that we can use on the banks of the Jukskei River in Lombardy.”
Mahlambi added that they were not against the proposed housing project at Madala Hostel. “However, we are equally concerned about the future of youngsters who were using the facility. The City should have consulted with us, the users of the sports ground. We understand the need for proper housing but that must be done accordingly to avoid misunderstanding.”
Chairperson of Alpoa, Dodo Shiburi described the City’s action as arrogant and a having lack of respect towards the people of Alexandra.“The City is making decisions on our behalf as residents without consulting us,” he said.
“We were recently invited to the meeting to discuss and talk about an ongoing housing project that was decided without us being informed.
“They decided to use Rotary Sports Ground that our local youngsters use without consulting us as community members. This shows how arrogant our government is. They said they are de-densifying congested areas in Alexandra but they have not contacted us. Which Alexandra are they de-densifying.”
Communications and stakeholder manager in the Department of Housing, Neo Goba refuted the lack of communication. “I can confirm that there was extensive consultation with the Rotary users,” he claimed.
“The Department of Housing has together with their representative, identified an alternative ground in Lombardy which is currently being prepared for utilisation by the football community. The MMC has always communicated about three projects in Alexandra which include Madala, Marlboro-Viola Street and the Marlboro 12th and Second Avenue projects.
“The plan is to demolish the dilapidated hostel building and rebuild proper habitable family units in order to give the residents of Madala dignity. The second phase of the project will incorporate a new sports ground as per the proposed site development plan.”
