The Department Human Settlement responded on October 12, after a land purchased by the City of Ekurhuleni was questioned by Mike Waters, MP and head of DA’s Kempvale Constituency.
Previously, GCN reported Waters alleged he received a letter from the Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu stating that his team would investigate the purchase.
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Waters alleged the land was unsafe and dangerous and yet it was meant to accommodate the residents of Angelo, who were facing evictions at the time, among other concerns.
The City was asked what was done to ensure the land was safe to build on.
According to the Department of Human Settlement, a geotechnical study was conducted in August of 2012.
Another concern by Waters was residents of the adjacent suburb of Marlands in Germiston were never consulted and legal action ensued.
The Department of Human Settlement said the surrounding area was aware of the development of the land through the town-planning processes, on-site advertising, newspaper advertising and a 28-day window given to citizens to view the file at City Planning offices to object if they wanted to object.
“Ninety-five objections were received from people living on the portion of land, as they feared that they would be removed from the property,” read the statement.
An application was circulated for comments to internal departments and external institutions as well.
“No other objections were received,” stated the department’s response.
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“The application was referred to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Tribunal (EMPT) for consideration. The application was approved by the EMPT on May 24, 2017.”
Human Settlement Department added the public participation process on the township establishment process included the companies around the area being consulted.
“A meeting with them was held to inform them of the project. The record of decision from the Department of Agriculture and Conservation is being awaited to finalise and proclaim the township,” stated the response.
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