On Saturday, December 12, the Member of Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements at the City of Ekurhuleni, Clr Aubrey Nxumalo, handed over title deeds to 70 residents of the area.
Although the gesture may seem insignificant when considering that the City faces a sizeable housing backlog from over 100 informal settlements, Ekurhuleni is making strides to provide residents with proper housing and legal ownership of land.
“It is totally unacceptable that within the Ekurhuleni region there are 119 informal settlements and 800 000 people live in shacks, that is inhumane,” said MMC Nxumalo.
“Therefore, as the City of Ekurhuleni we have earmarked land, beginning with residents living in informal settlements in the eastern areas, to build proper houses as per the City’s 30 Year Human Settlements Plan which entails a site that is fitted with all essential services water, electricity, stormwater pipes and tarred roads,” he explained.
Jacoba Bosman, title deed recipient and rightful owner of stand number ERF 809 Kadlagter Street, could not contain her excitement upon receiving her title deed from Nxumalo.
She said: “I have been staying in my RDP house for 15 years now and for all these years my family and I have been uncomfortable fearing that one day someone will just walk in and claim to own our house. This is a great relief for me. Now I know my two children have a place to call home.”
The MMC emphasised the importance of owning a title deed and that the possession of the document allows home owners the ability to trade the house on the market legally after a stipulated time of occupation of eight years, according to the Government Gazette.
“A title deed is not transferable, therefore, all recipients ought to take care of their documents and make copies for their safe keeping,” concluded Nxumalo.
