The article “Tensions high over Emandleni reblocking” on page 5 of the July 5 edition of the City Times, met with the following response from the Ekurhuleni metro’s divisional head for communication and media relations, Nhlanhla Cebekhulu:
“The site is located next to Birmingham Street and Emandleni informal settlement next to the Glenshaft (Pan), on south westerly, and Birmingham on West, Caledon Street on North West, and Lancaster Street on the North and Rangeview Road on the East, with a large portion of the site being occupied by Emandleni informal settlement,” said Cebekhulu.
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Tensions high over Emandleni reblocking – Part 1
“The property in question being referred to as RE/Ptn 6, Rietfontein 115-IR, in terms of size, the property is 16.8559 ha and the property belongs to the City of Ekurhuleni.
“It terms of the migration plan of the metro, the site was earmarked for future redevelopment of Emandleni informal settlements.
“Although it should be noted that there are numerous constrains that needs to be overcome should the site be developed, such as the detailed specialist studies including:
• Biodiversity studies.
• Aquatic delineation.
• Cultural heritage.
• Health impact assessment study.
• Classification of the landfill site and a study to determine the potential impact that this landfill site has on the groundwater in the surrounding area.
How long has the Emandleni settlement been around for?
According to available information, Emandleni was established during the previous Transitional Local Council: Greater Benoni. Many of the families were gradually allocated houses in the various housing projects including Kingsway project. Over the years more people came to establish shacks in the area.
Why were the residents moved to the other side of Birmingham Street – was this part of the initial plan for the relocation?
There are no residents that were moved to the other side of Birmingham Street. Instead, several shacks that were on Birmingham Street under the Eskom servitude were removed because both Eskom and the metro do not want to connect electricity to any house or shack that is built under the electrical servitude. This was part of the initial plan which is also informed by the common understanding that those structures are exposed to danger.
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[WATCH] Tensions high over Emandleni reblocking – Part 2
What is the main reason for the relocation?
Only the shacks under the Eskom servitude as well as the Rand Water pipelines have been relocated within Emandleni, and not in Actonville. No one has been relocated outside of Emandleni. However, as reblocking opens streets to promote access, structures were moved around within the same area and to ensure that shacks are not too close to each other.
Can you confirm if the land where shacks are currently being built is zoned as a wetland?
Most portions of land in Emandleni, and also closer to the wetland, are often affected by flooding. Due to the dense nature of the settlements it becomes challenging to keep everyone staying as safe as it would be possible. It is for this reason that the metro is implementing the Apex 12 housing development project for the residents of Emandleni informal settlement.
How many shacks were supposed to be built in the temporary settlement?
The total number of shacks within Emandleni will remain the same. No additional shacks are being built. The definition of reblocking is simply to reconfigure the current layout of the settlement and reorganising the ground plane in such a manner as to optimally utilise space to promote health, safety and the well-being of households under the circumstances. (This is also to) promote accessibility into the settlement by emergency vehicles, service delivery vehicles and others transport modes used by the public.
Residents in the area are concerned about “mushrooming of shacks”. What is the metro’s comment on this?
Throughout the world, and particularly in South Africa, including Emandleni, the mushrooming of shacks is because of urbanisation with people using whatever available resources to build their shacks in different locations. It is a fact that people of Emandleni also moved there illegally for various reasons.
Therefore, every one of them remains occupants, and not owners, of stands as the land is owned by the Ekurhuleni metro. The EMPD’s Land Invasion Unit has been established to focus on the mushrooming of shacks in all informal settlements. Occupants of Emandleni are free to inform this unit of any invasions.
It is alleged the mayor has promised land to the informal settlement dwellers, please confirm if the allegation is true or not.
The allegation is not true. The mayor promised to enhance the provision of basic services and electrification when he visited the area (recently).
Residents from the other side of Birmingham Street (Actonville Extension 4) claim there was no public participation ahead of the project.
Reblocking of Emandleni simply seeks to ensure that the basic needs of the occupants are met and that each human being within the metro is treated with dignity, regardless of their status. The former councillor (Haseena Ismail) and the committee held several meetings to share information with all those who were actively involved in the project. As a ward councillor she had access to her entire ward jointly with her ward committee structure.
How many informal settlements have been moved temporarily in Ekurhuleni in the last two years?
It is only Ulana informal settlement which was relocated due to flooding. What is the metro’s plan of action regarding informal settlements (eg water, electricity, permanent residence)? The metro is currently providing basic services (water, electricity, waste removal and ablution facilities) on a temporary basis to all the informal settlements. The informal settlements that are situated on unsuitable land – inhabitants of such settlements will be relocated/ or be absorbed within identified housing development projects where they will have title deeds.
What is the total cost of these projects over a period of time – please specify if this is a five year plan?
The cost per serviced stand with full services, i.e. water, sewer, roads, stormwater and electricity networks, is about
R105 000 to R115 000/residential one or two stand, excluding bulk services costs and any improvements to the property, such as toilet structures. The cost of servicing higher density stands is less, due to their yield and could range between
R30 000 to R40 000 per unit.
Residents allege a metro employee is working with an Emandleni committee member and taking shack material supplied by council and selling this to new residents.
It is a crime for anyone to sell stands in an area that is privately owned or owned by the government. Anyone selling stands should be reported to the SAPS, including those who are purchasing the land that belongs to the metro. It is therefore everyone’s responsibility to report these people to the SAPS and the metro.
“The HSD (Human Settlements Department) will ensure that this allegation is investigated. The media is also advised to verify their sources before spreading unfounded information. (*The Emandleni committee member has since denied the allegations).
Residents say the new developments are for foreigners and zama zamas and that none of the people who have been living there for years are moving across to the “new Emandleni”
Historically, the portion of land in Emandleni has been undermined and there are two sinkholes that have been identified. The National Department of Minerals and Resources’ division of geoscience has been notified. They are in the process of appointing the relevant service providers to address the problem. This information was shared with the community during a public meeting with the councillor. During the reblocking process each household data is captured and submitted to the finance department. The finance department sifts through the data, removing all fake and/or illegal identity documents before opening the electricity accounts. The metro would appreciate it if the media could strengthen their public information sharing platform for the benefit of the community and not promote divisions that may impact negatively on social cohesion.
The residents of “old Emandleni” stated if new settlement dwellers were to receive electricity before they do, then they will protest. They said this will turn into a violent protest, as they have been waiting for electricity for many years.
According to the HSD there is one Emandleni and we are aware that some occupants regard themselves as either “new” or “old”. (As) much as the Mayor and the City has pronounced that Emandleni and all other informal settlements will be electrified, the implementation of such projects must start somewhere. During one of the project planning meetings coordinated by the former councillor, she recommended the project be started from the Birmingham Road side. She also allocated the current project site for Medlec that is busy with the electrification of the area. She also appointed the community liaison officer who is serving as a link between the community and the entity. Secondly, most occupants of Emandleni have been labelling each other as “new” or “old” occupants. The very leader of the so-called ‘old’ Emandleni has also been proven to be originally from KwaZulu-Natal and recently moved from Tembisa to settle in Emandleni. Such allegations do not necessarily add value to the major challenge of providing basic services to the occupants of Emandleni. The metro’s focus is on meeting the day-to-day needs and to work hard in implementing the projects that are aimed at providing the lasting solution such as the current Apex 12 project.
