Van Dyk Park residents remain skeptical about housing development

About R92-million has so far been spent on the Van Dyk Park housing development, which got underway in September last year.

According to the Ekurhuleni metro, the project is at the implementation stage and installation of bulk services has commenced.

However, despite the metro’s plan to build housing units in Van Dyk Park (MasinaVille mine quarters), residents in the area remain reluctant about the housing development.

The Advertiser previously reported that residents were unhappy about the project because they were told that their homes will, unfortunately, be demolished to create space for the new houses.

The residents claimed that their current homes were spacious enough; hence, they didn’t want other houses or be moved elsewhere.

Speaking to them recently to find out if they’ve had a change of mind, community members said they still didn’t want to be moved from their houses. They further shared that they’ve even approached lawyers to assist them and the matter is in the courts for resolution and judgement.

According to Jackie Reilly, Ward 31 councillor the project has since been halted due to ongoing court matters.
“No one has been relocated to an identified temporary area to proceed with the housing development due to pending the court’s outcome,” said Reilly.

Meanwhile, last year January the metro indicated that the properties were previously owned by a mining company before the metro took over the land parcel for housing development.

The metro shared that the development is targeted to benefit the community but will be subjected to the outcome of beneficiary administration assessment.

Depending on the availability of funds, the project is expected to be completed in 2024/25.

Also Read: Metro to commence with housing development in Van Dyk Park

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