Housing problems highlighted at imbizo

KwaThema Community Hall hosted one of the five imbizos held by the Ekurhuleni Metro on Tuesday evening.

Members of the KwaThema community came in their numbers to hear what MMC Moses Makwakwa had to say.

The imbizo is aimed at giving communities feedback on service delivery as well as to listen to any problems facing residents.

The programme also looked at the general performance of Ekurhuleni since its inception in the year 2000 as well as progress made in the 20 years of democracy.

Makwakwa touched on the priorities of government, which includes employment, health, education and infrastructure development.

He announced to the community that there are plans of constructing a big complex close to the N17 Hospital, which will bring employment opportunities.

Makwakwa also appealed to the community not to vandalise public buildings during protests as they are the ones who need those services once the protests are over.

He informed the community that the R1-million given to wards is for job creation purposes.

Makwakwa did not shy away from speaking about the successes of the Ekurhuleni Metro, amongst them the ‘106 000 houses built in Ekurhuleni’.

Members of the public were then given an opportunity to ask questions or give comments to the MMC.

It was clear from the majority of those who spoke, that housing is still a big challenge.

Nozizwe Mpangane wanted to know what she can do as she was evicted from her home in Extension Five.

She said, I was given all my papers for the house and told I could move in, then told I need to move out, then Red Ants were sent to evict us, forcing me to go back to my parents home with my children’.

Her plight was seconded by Pinky Bhembe who waved her title deed in the air saying, “I don’t have a house but I owe for services, I have been waiting for a house since 1996.”