UPDATE:Lion Park Development – houses ready by 2017?

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlement, along with City of Joburg met with residents of Kya Sand and Msawawa informal settlements at the department’s office on 18 October.

Director of service delivery at the department Vulindlela Maphekula, said they discussed issues concerning the memorandum that was delivered during the march on 12 October.

These included the demarcation of Ward 96 and the proposed Lion Park Housing Development, which is planned to be ready in 2017.

He explained that they draft a letter and it will be then signed by MEC Jacob Mamabolo.

“The MEC will sign the letter assuring those people that the demarcation of Ward 96 will not affect them and that they will benefit from the Lion Park Development,” he explained.

This, however, the Secretary of Kya Sand and Msawawa Association Ephraim Lifua complained that the department insisted they have not yet found a solution to the bulk infrastructure problem.

“In 2011 they told us the same problem and now it is 2015, which means they are not doing anything about this project,” he said.

He concluded that they promised them that they will strive to find a solution.

Ward 96 councillor Matome Mafokwane explained that it would be impossible for the project to be ready by 2017.

According to Councillor Mafokwane, the department will provide houses while City Council would resolve the budget allocated for the infrastructure which include water supply and sewer.

“I browsed through the archives for over the past four years since I have been the councillor, but the City has not allocated the budget. Apparently there are no funds available,” the councillor said.

He further explained that the basics of the project have not been done yet and about 12 000 units were contemplated.

“We cannot commit ourselves to hand the keys to beneficiaries by 2017, which is 24 months from now. There is too little time considering that it is a multibillion rand infrastructure development,” explained Councillor Mafokwane.

Maphekula said that the Human Settlement Department has approached the National Department of Water Affairs to make funds available for the project.

“This is a joint project between us (department) and the City of Joburg. Since there were no funds from the City, we approached the National Department to help us with funds,” he concluded.

The City of Joburg spokesperson for the MMC for Housing Dikeledi Mashaile is yet to comment.

Details: Ward 96 Councillor Matome Mafokwane, mafokwane.mvg@gmail.com or Department of Human Settlement Director of Service delivery Vulindlela Maphekula 082 304 9461.

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