Residents claim the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) promised them title deeds in 2012, with the launch of the Regularisation and Transfer of Houses (Retro) Programme, which is aimed at regularising occupancy of council-owned houses.
According to an earlier article by the City Times, the residents said the EMM had promised them that, in terms of the programme, it would have taken up to six months for them to get the title deeds of the properties they occupied at the time.
“The stands had to be subdivided and the conditions of the subdivision complied with,” said Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson.
Delays in the subdivision process have postponed the handing over of the title deeds and the end is not yet in sight.
“We applied for the title deeds a long time ago, but nothing has happened yet, instead people here are harassed and the prepaid electricity is cut off,” said Harry Saal, a community member.
“So we asked all the relevant people to come aboard and assist us with this maladministration.”
- Electricity in the Gardens
An uproar arose in the Gardens when a municipal electrician came to cut off the power to several houses.
The residents demanded that he leave, claiming they’re power was being illegally disconnected and that they had paid.
“We came to cut the power to some of the houses, because those people didn’t pay their prepaid electricity,” said the electrician.
“They break open the boxes and install their own circuit breakers.”
“The electrician came here now to switch off our power, but they should draw back due to the resistance from the community and bring the rightful authorities,” said Saal.
“If it comes to a push, we will burn the boxes (power).”
Some of the residents claimed that the power had been disconnected for four weeks, despite payments.
“We can’t always afford to pay the rent and utilities, as many people here are unemployed,” said Daniel Quitata.
“They (EMM) must create jobs for us, as they don’t want to give us indigent subsidies.”
- Sewerage and water meters
On July 23, a meeting was held in the Farrarmere Gardens Community Hall.
The meeting was headed by Clr Mary Goby (Ward 28) and was called to inform the residents of upcoming work to be done by EMM in the Gardens.
Goby said before title deeds could be given to the residents, the properties must be subdivided so that each dwelling is separate.
She said each dwelling would be given separate sewerage and water meters in the following months, to comply with the requirements of subdivision.
“This is one step closer to title deeds, although we don’t have a set timeframe yet,” she added.
Refiloe Mallela, managing director of Anquet Construction, said they will bring in their own experts on sewerage, but will employ labour from amongst the Gardens’ residents.
Goby said another meeting, to discuss all the issues regarding Farrarmere Gardens, including the title deeds, will be held on August 15.
