The community living on the old Municipal Nursery land in Northgate has elected a committee to represent them.
Roughly 400 people live in tough conditions on the land next to Golden Harvest Park and Northgate Shopping Centre, with illegal electricity connections, water leaks, mounds of rubbish and portable toilets because the underground sewerage line is broken.
Also read: Ward councillor opens defamation case against Northgate resident and charity chairperson
Councillor Ralf Bittkau called the meeting to elect representatives to speak on their behalf to find a resolution to the problems being experienced by the community. This was after attempts to mediate a resolution to the problems in the Nursery community led to serious accusations being volleyed between the councillor and another community organisation which led to a case of defamation being opened by Bittkau.
“At the moment there are two camps here but the community needs to speak with one voice so we can tackle issues and work together effectively,” he told residents.
Bittkau also said he was aware of some residents helping drug dealers regain a foothold in the area after being chased out and called for unity.
He thanked residents for working with him to remove illegal dumping and a large container that had been illegally brought into the municipal-owned land.
On that note, he said he was glad the maintenance and administration might soon be handed over from Joburg Property Company (JPC) to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, because the former had not done much good for the people in recent years.
A proposal for this is in the process of being approved by City Council, and Bittkau said most councillors are in favour.
Community leader, David Hadebe also stressed to residents that they should elect leaders who would represent their interests, not the leader’s own interests.
A second community leader, Sipho Modiba posed a number of questions to Bittkau specifically about the needs in the community and primarily the need for jobs.
Bittkau responded that he is able to help provide proof of residences to each individual if they can send him South African ID numbers and the location they stay on the land.
But as far as actually finding work for people, he is unable to help.
After Bittkau left the meeting – because he did not want to have any influence on the election – residents elected 10 people onto a committee to represent them, with Tshepo Jan Maluleke at the helm.
Randburg Sun has contacted City Parks and the JPC regarding the matter, and questions have been sent to them.
In response to these, City Parks spokesperson Jenny Moodley said at the moment JPC still manages the land and they would be in a better position to comment.
JPC’s comments on the matter will be published when they are made.
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