Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba urges residents to do away with land invasion in Rabie Ridge

Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba has pleaded with community members  to do away with illegal land invasion in Rabie Ridge.

The mayor said there is vacant land around the City earmarked for development which will also create employment. He added that the acts of illegal land invasions will delay development in the area.

“I would like to make an appeal that you desist from invading the land as it is privately owned,” said Mashaba.

“On behalf of the multiparty government, I intend to make a proposal to the owner to acquire this piece of land for housing development for our people.”

People around Tembisa have tried to occupy the vacant piece of land in Mayibuye and Austin View along the Modderfontein Road on numerous occasions. The Metro police and the Red Ants were called to demolish hundreds of shacks that were erected in these areas.

Mashaba said, “The previous administration first approved the expropriation of the said land in 2003, however, no steps to expropriate the land were taken until 2011. During the negotiation process, the purchase price ballooned from R53 million to over R200 million. The City proceeded with the expropriation as part of this.

“The said landowner then approached the high court to reverse the expropriation. The multiparty government reviewed the expropriation process and discovered that it was deeply flawed and it did not comply with the law.”

He added that the City did not challenge the owner of the land in court because the case was unwinnable. However, Mashaba said the City still needs the land for development. “The land in Rabie Ridge is still needed by the City for housing development, that is why the City will be engaging with the owner in negotiating a fair price for this land.

“If the negotiation fails, the City will be left with no choice but to properly expropriate the land.”

The mayor has called on Rabie Ridge residents to not join the people who are invading this land.

“The illegal occupation of this land will only result in delaying development coming to this community. I would like to assure you that at the next council sitting, I would be tabling a report to seek council approval exploit a portion of land in Rabie Ridge for the purpose of housing development in the event the City cannot reach an agreement with the owner. I hope the community will help us to ensure development come in Rabie Ridge.”

Related articles: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/211337/rabie-ridge-shutdown-protesters-demand-proper-housing/

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/211387/rabie-ridge-clinic-closeed-due-protest-action/