Ekurhuleni’s Human Settlement MMC Lesiba Mpya recently hosted a public meeting at the Actonville Council Chambers recently.
“The intention of this meeting is to ‘find common ground’ with all parties concerned,” said Mpya.
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Concerns addressed ranged from the mushrooming of shacks, safety and security for all stakeholders involved, traffic control, property valuations and a lack of public participation.
Mpya apologised for lack of participation and suggested a forum be put in place to avoid any particular stakeholder being left to feel “left out” in future.
“I profusely apologise for not involving all stakeholders initially,” said Mpya.
“Our aim is to create an environment that is habitable for informal settlement dwellers.
“The shacks were congested and this increases the risk of fires spreading rapidly.
“This is why we have implemented the Apex 12 project for Emandleni dwellers and the current reblocking is temporary.
“With the forum all stakeholders will be able to have input in the decision-making process.
“The forum will consist of three members of the Emandleni community, three members of the Actonville Ext Four community and the new ward councillor.”
A new ward councillor will be voted in after the by-election on August 7.
The by-election comes after former Ward 29 Clr Haseena Ismail resigned due to her appointment as a member of parliament after the May general elections.
Another issue raised by Ext Four members was a lack of respect for religious activities and sacred grounds.
“We often find empty liquor bottles and people urinating near our place of worship, just off Birmingham Road where temporary reblocking commenced,” said some community members.
“The shacks are also bordering the roadside now and that is dangerous for everyone.”
Also present at the meeting was Emandleni committee member Solomon Zwane.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Zwane said they were also a part of Ward 29 and said they do not have intentions of degrading the area.
“We are conscious of the concerns raised,” said Zwane.
“The reblocking will ensure the area becomes more decent to live in.
“It is totally false that there are no people from the outside coming in. The previous councillor was aware of the plans for this process.”
Zwane also proposed other measures to ensure safety and security in the area that included regular CPF patrols.
MP Ismail contacted the City Times after the meeting and maintained that she was unaware of developments in the project after the first phase was implemented.
“The department did not contact me when the second phase of the project began,” Ismail said.
“Any mention in the meeting that I was aware of all the details is false.”
