What began as the reblocking and electrification of the Emandleni informal settlement, located on the boarder of Wattville and Actonville Extension Four, has resulted in anger surrounding a lack of service delivery, allegations of corruption, mushrooming of the informal settlement, claims of illegal miners (zama zamas) and foreigners among those finding refuge in new development and a potential negative environmental impact on the Glenshaft Pan wetland.
The frustration from residents, who are under the impression that they will be located to this vacant land, stems from a new settlement that has emerged alongside Emandleni.
This also gives way to concerns that the settlement is being erected across the road from an electrical substation.
Fears of stolen electricity and an increased crime rate are now mounting.
Since a visit to the settlement on May 31 by executive mayor Mzwandile Masina, who addressed crowds on the Siyaqhuba programme, some Ext Four residents claim the new development in Emandleni has mushroomed into over 500 new shacks.
Bloodshed
Further to this, the claim of a failed promise by the metro to provide electricity to settlement dwellers is sparking tensions.
“There will be bloodshed if they get electricity before us,” was a statement made to the City Times by some residents of the Emandleni informal settlement.
The residents also said a rise in new settlers is a “land grab” and that an alleged corruption scandal is adding to their frustrations.
According to residents, Emandleni is now split between “new Emandleni” for new settlers and “old Emandleni” for those who have occupied the space that has existed since the early ’90s.
“This ‘new Emandleni’ has surfaced and we are not happy with it,” said the existing residents.
“We were promised by the metro that we would have electricity by March this year, but nothing of the sort has happened.
“We have been using primus stoves and paraffin for 25 years and this is dangerous, yet nothing is being done about it.
“The people who are moving in here are from areas such as Daveyton, Tsakane, Tembisa and Soweto and it is also becoming a home to foreigners, and they may receive electricity before us.
“Believe us, this is the calm before the storm.
“If they receive electricity before us we will not keep quiet, we will toyi-toyi and there will be bloodshed; people will die.”
A resident from Ext Four, present at the meeting between the residents and the City Times, claimed zama zamas were also surfacing in the area.
“They aren’t even afraid to walk on the streets with all their equipment in broad daylight,” said the resident, who wished to remain anonymous.
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“They mine the area along here and no one feels safe anymore with them around.
Before they got here we all lived in harmony and now the residents of ‘old Emandleni’, who have been here for years, are being affected the most by the developments.”
The City Times has photos of the developments in new Emandleni from June 6 to 28.
The development can be seen expanding over this period.
Corruption
According to the existing residents, there has been a committee for Emandleni since the settlement was established.
“Members of the committee are involved in corruption and have been in their positions since the settlement came into existence,” they claimed.
“They have been working with an employee in the Benoni housing department and they take things that belong to the government and sell it to the people.
“Stands for shacks are being sold for R1 500 and R2 500 but should actually be free.”
A response from the metro is yet to be received while the committee member did respond and denied the allegations.
*A full response from the committee member is available in part 2 of the online article and in this week’s City Times print edition.
Councillor responds
The City Times also contacted Ward 29 councillor Haseena Ismail.
“At the start of reblocking, I highlighted to the department (human settlements) that a wall needed to be erected around the whole of Emandleni,” said Ismail.
“This would avoid the flourishing of shacks and would safeguard residents too as the wetland is a major health and safety risk.”
“With regard to the new developments; the department has not communicated this with me.
“Secondly, residents of Emandleni have met with me and reported that the so-called committee are selling proof of residence as well as stands in the reblocking process, which was causing the flourishing of shacks.
“Residents getting reblocked also had to pay for screws, wood and sinks but these were supposed to be included in the reblocking budget.
“I subsequently had three public meetings, advising residents to go to the Benoni Customer Care Centre offices for proof of residence and advised residents who live there to report wrongdoings so the department and law enforcement could do the necessary.
“At the last public meeting with the MMC of Human Settlements, I made a public announcement stating the so-called committee is dissolved, due to the allegations of corruption.
“I highlighted these issues at various levels of the department and customer relations manager and other relevant departments.
“Unfortunately, the department continued discussing and making decisions with the so-called committee and side-lining the ward councillor.
“I am disappointed that the department is not following protocol with procedures.
“Both residents of Emandleni informal settlement and Actonville are adversely affected by these developments.
“There has been no opportunity for public participation for both Emandleni and Actonville residents.
“Actonville residents are concerned as this will decrease the valuation of their properties and they have already been experiencing severe air pollution due to smoke, as well as a bad stench.
“Emandleni residents feel the committee is reblocking people who have come later into Emandleni and not the people who moved into Emandleni first.
“Also, too many new people are getting stands while the long-time residents are left behind.
“Emandleni residents feel the department should work with the councillor, not the committee, with these developments as the committee or some members of the committee are picking and choosing those who must benefit from services.
“The fact is, the metro approached this matter wrong and today all residents have to bear the burden of the department’s incompetence.
“We have submitted a petition to council in May from residents of Emandleni informal settlement and Actonville residents have hand-delivered petitions to both to the necessary departments.
“Residents have a right to be heard and we call on the metro to do the right thing and listen to residents.”
Ismail added the area is next to a wetland (Glenshaft Pan) and stated there are a few extinct bird populations here that should have been preserved.
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