Legislature gets justice for petitioners

Duduza – Gauteng Legislature held a number of hearings at Monti Motloung Hall on Saturday to conclude petitions from the community.

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s (GPL) Standing Committee on Petitions, led by Honourable Refilwe Mogale, held a two-day public hearing with the aim of resolving service delivery concerns.

The concerns were raised by various community members or organisations.

One of the petitioners, Mali Buzi, alleges her son’s RDP house in Tsakane Extension Nine was illegally occupied after he died.

She explains she has made many attempts to remove the illegal occupants from the house and has even involved the police.

In response, Aubrey Mogosi of Ekurhuleni Human Settlement says the metro can confirm the house belonged to Buzi’s son.

“We had many issues of people living in other people’s houses for various reasons.

” An audit was ordered to see if the residents were the rightful owners,” he adds.

Mogosi explains that one of the recommendations by MEC Paul Mashatile was to allow people who qualify for RDP housing to continue living in those houses, and finding alternative housing for the rightful owners.

“Mam Buzi will be allocated a house that is already built, in Extension 22,” he adds.

Hnr Mogale says she is concerned about the message this recommendation sends to those who illegally occupy property.

“We are lawmakers. Are we not condoning such behavior if we allow them to live in houses that belong to other people?

“What led to this decision?”

Mogosi says the audit showed that many people who lived illegally in the houses of others. had registered and qualified to receive RDPs.

“Because they qualify, we left them to continue occupying the houses.”

He assures the committee that Mam Buzi will be allocated a house. She will be taken to view it by the end of the week.

The hearings are held quarterly across the various regions of Gauteng to assist communities.