POLOKWANE – Despite the Polokwane Municipality receiving level two accreditation, which will enable the planning and execution of housing delivery, Juju Valley (ERF 8581) in Seshego Zone 1 is yet to be incorporated into the municipality.
In her recent State of the City address, the Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng said the mushrooming of unplanned and uncontrolled informal settlements is a nightmare for the city, especially if it happens on land not owned by the municipality, such as Juju Valley and Kwena Moloto.
During a council meeting on 6 November, a status quo of the cities’ residential areas was presented to council for noting and EFF councillor, Freddie Ramaphakela said Juju Valley was not included.
He argued that the mayor has an obligation to deliver services to everyone under the jurisdiction of the Polokwane Municipality, regardless of whether they reside in an informal settlement or a suburb.
“This mandate is a directive from the constitution and should be treated as such,” he said.
Ramaphakela says the owner of Juju Valley was willing to hand over the land to squatters after engagements with the EFF and that it was only left to the mayor to engage with the owner over the finalisation thereof.
Ramaphakela claimed the land had already been surveyed by the municipality and layout for development has been done.
“Whether the land is bought or donated is not an issue as the plight of the people comes first.
“It is the prerogative of the council, not only the mayor, to decide to take on this project,” he maintained.
The EFF called for the re-tabling of the status quo saying the one presented in council was not a true representation of the state of the municipality.
Acting Mayor, William Kganyago said the area would be added to the status quo as an item for reflection in order to be implemented for future development.
