Govt can’t afford rapid land release – expert

An expert says the government does not have the financial resources needed to back up its call for rapid land release.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura met residents from Eldoraldo Park, Freedom Park and surrounding areas on Saturday, accompanied by the MEC for human settlements Uhuru Moiloa, MEC for economic development Lebogang Maile, MEC for education Panyaza Lesufi, and MMC for housing in the City of Joburg Mzobanzi Ntuli, to discuss their land and housing issues.

Land expert Kobus Lamprecht said: “The government simply doesn’t have the funds to provide top structures to everyone in this country who does not own a conventional home. This has been known to be the case for many decades.

“The logical solution is to proactively provide serviced mini erven on which the homeless can build their own houses – erven to which they can get title. Why the three tiers of government haven’t acted on this long ago, remains a mystery.

“I find it of great interest that the poor are prepared to erect their own houses in areas on the outskirts of the metropolitan area.

“This is in contrast to official town planning policy, which prefers compact cities, with housing for the poor close to work opportunities and public transport.”

Human settlements spokesperson Keith Khoza said the project would not be confined to townships.

Khoza said: “We will also be providing land closer to economic hubs because we want to empower our people and ensure greater job opportunities.”

He said the provincial government had already started acting on plans to provide land to the people in the current financial year. However, power of attorney over the land was still being transferred from the city to Gauteng.

“We cannot do anything on land that does not belong to us, just like the City of Joburg cannot do anything on land that legally belongs to us. So, it is an ongoing process but there is progress now,” he said.

Freedom Park community leader Thabang Makhele said they welcomed the call for the land release.

“[Makhura] has gone to the media and pronounced that the question of land should come to practicality.”

Also read: Fiery protest in Vosloorus over RDP housing plans

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