Mashaba – open and transparent housing list prioritised

Mayor Herman Mashaba said that even though he understood the deep pain of residents, ‘whose dignity has been trampled on over years of self-serving arrogance in government’, he pleaded with residents who are illegally occupying private and State-owned land, to stop!

“I commit, as a matter of urgency, to compile an official housing list to determine the proper allocation of housing. The process of selecting beneficiaries will be transparent, open and fair, and the list will be available for anyone to see,” the new mayor said in a statement.

Mashaba added that he intends on accelerating the housing developments in Joburg that are near completion, or those which need to be refurbished. Mashaba referred to occupying land illegally as a shortcut that will delay the progress the new government intends on pursuing. “I appeal to the people of Johannesburg for patience. The new administration is committed to working tirelessly to provide housing opportunities and to improve existing human settlements in this City. I urge people to desist from being misled by anarchists who do not have their interests at heart,” he said.

On 18 July, the Randburg Sun reported that about 400 residents from Kya Sand informal settlement attempted to invade some land when Douglasdale police fired rubber bullets as they tried to disperse residents who had already allocated themselves spaces in the open land, adjacent to the Kya Sand industrial area. Councillor Matome Mafokwane previously said residents should respect constitutional laws, which include rights to private property. “Land invasion is a criminal act and law enforcement is there to act upon it; anyone found invading land will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

It was reported that Mafokwane said he understood the plight of residents living without homes and that Human Settlement has a responsibility to fast-track housing in the City.

On 10 August, about 60 shacks were demolished. Mashaba said he understands that a house is more than simply four walls and a roof. “It is the basis for creating a home and a safe space to live in. This need is universal and dignified housing is a right that every South African should be able to realise,” he said.

Related articles:

Land invasion foiled in Kya Sand 

UPDATE: Authorities evict illegal land invaders