City of Tshwane mayor responds to Eersterust land issue

1. Good day mayor Solly Msimanga, I would like to tell you a bit of my story. I’m a single mother of five, and I currently rent a house in Eersterust.

My two sons have finished their matric and are struggling to get work, while I’m just working casually for a company after being at home for almost two years.

The problem with me is, because I’m the only breadwinner I do not qualify for housing loans and, to tell you the truth, I’m tired of being put out on the streets because I cannot afford to pay rent.

So now my question is, there is so much vacant land in Eersterust that belongs to Tshwane, why is it that when a person enquires about the land you get answers like: there are no properties, but you see people building flats on properties that were not available in the first place?

Are the properties that are vacant only for the people who have money? Because they are the people who get these properties to build on.

Can you please assist me with getting a piece of land in the place where I was born? I just want a home for me and my kids – a place we can call home. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. Lizelle Jordaan

2. Good day Mr Mayor, I have applied for a vacant stand in Eersterust a couple of years back and was put on a waiting list.

I have been trying to obtain the status of the application and thus far have been shifted from pillar to post. I have contacted and visited the Tshwane offices telephonically (012-358-4312) and walked in on several occasions, but was informed that currently they do not know what the status is.

May I humbly ask that this matter please be looked at, or is there perhaps an answer on the issue? Marcia Marupen

Mayor Msimanga: This is a joint reply to both questions. The department has confirmed that they have explained to all the applicants for vacant land in the Eersterust area that the proposed sale of the erven are being delayed because some of the infrastructure services have been vandalised and/or stolen.

They further explained that we are dependent on the responsible departments to replace and/ or repair the said services before the marketing process can commence.

Note that Ms Marcia Marupen has been captured on the database for applicants for the vacant stands in Eersterust and, together with all the other applicants, will be contacted as soon as we commence with the marketing process.

3. Dear Comrade Msimanga, our pavements were destroyed during the digging for electricity cables. When are they going to fix the pavements? John Makoana, Ward 51

Mayor Msimanga: Dear John, apologies for this. The department has engaged the contractor, and the contractor promised to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

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