Ekurhuleni mayor tackles RDP housing

1. My dad registered for an RDP house before he passed on and we thought that they would automatically put my mom on the waiting list.

When we went to the municipal office in Kempton Park, they sent us to the housing department in Alberton, where they told us that she needed to start from scratch although she is the beneficiary.

This seems unfair to us. Donald Seretlo, Manyaka Street, Eliliba Section

Mayor Masina: Let me begin by conveying my heartfelt condolences to your family for your loss. When a person applies for a house, his/her name is uploaded into the National Housing Needs Register (NHNR).

In the event that the applicant dies while his/her application is still pending an approval, it is automatically removed from the list.

It must also be noted for the record that persons who have recorded their housing needs on the register do not automatically qualify for housing subsidies, and/or the purchase of service stands.

In the event the applicant dies after the approval of the subsidy and allocation has been completed, then the family or next of kin will have a claim to the stand or property in question.

You have highlighted a very important issue, which is the effective communication and education of the public regarding estate planning when applying for housing needs.

I have instructed my MMC for housing to develop a programme which will educate communities in this regard.

2. Dear Mr Masina, I’m concerned about the number of accidents in Izilwane Street, Palmridge Ext 8. I have witnessed four accidents so far, two in this calendar year alone. Could you please do something about a speed slowing mechanism in this street before we lose a life? Klaas Tsamba

Mayor Masina: Thank you for highlighting your concern. As a city, we take road safety extremely seriously and any information that can assist in decreasing accidents on our roads is welcomed.

As a response to your concern, I have delegated the relevant officials and the area will be visited on November 6 to determine the cause of the accidents and to develop a plan of action to address the problem. The outcome of this investigation will be communicated to you during the same week.

3. I am a resident of Etwatwa East for the past 35 years, hoping to enjoy the fruits of democracy and living on a tarred street.

However, 25th, 26th and 27th Streets have been left out and not tarred. To be left out while others are enjoying the fruits, living in the same area, raises questions that need to be answered.

Mayor Masina: During the October national transport month, our accelerated service delivery programme, Siyaqhuba, paid special attention to assessing the state of roads and how they affect transport in our city.

The area of Etwatwa was covered and our department of roads and transport has developed a response plan for that particular ward.

The following roads were constructed during the 2016-17 financial year in the ward: 12th, 29th, 8th, 10th and 32nd streets and 13th Street will be constructed during the 2017-18 financial year.

Our department has begun the process of issuing designs for 25th, 26th and 27th streets, upon which, when we receive the relevant budget approvals for 2018-19, construction will commence.

NEXT WEEK: Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba responds to your questions.

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