Alex residents and organisations are concerned government may not be able to fulfil its promise on housing.
This concern was raised at the launch of a campaign to verify names of those on the 1996/97 waiting list for allocation of housing. The concern is from a background of alleged corruption in the allocation of completed houses, and of people on the housing waiting list who are still in transit camps which were meant to be transitional shelters.
Acknowledging government’s commitment to engage them on housing, concerned parties cited the following as concerns:
- People who were moved from PANAfrican Mall years ago are still without houses.
- People evicted late last year from Bohlabela Extension 2 flats are still to be allocated homes.
- There are several incomplete structures which could accommodate them.
- Failure to effect bylaws against the mushrooming of illegal, unsafe structures and shacks.
- Some people owning several government houses.
MMC for housing, Dan Bovu said government remained committed to addressing housing and other challenges through its pro-poor policies.
“In the process, we are impeded by many [vested] interests and legislative constraints. We request for collaboration and partnerships by all in the interest of resolving the housing needs of the greater majority who are in need,” he said.
Bovu attributed the delay in allocating houses partly to the slow turnaround time by government bureaucracy and processes. He added that they had established a technical committee to deal with the problems of Bohlabela Extension 2 flats and were exploring alternative options with banks in allocating houses.
He added that an audit report on alleged illegal occupations would be assessed by the housing department first, before its release to the public. He urged those occupying houses illegally to vacate them voluntarily, pending the department’s decision on implementing the audit findings.
Bovu also urged officials to effect bylaws on housing transgressions without fear or favour. He asked residents to collaborate with councillors and to rally around local development forums and structures which represented their interests.
Alexandra Land and Property Owners’ Association (Alpoa) urged the department to be forthright when engaging them in order to gain their trust, especially on housing. Alpoa secretary general, Jacky Segopa asked the department to speed up the land claims process, complete land acquisitions, proclamations and gazetting, and to conduct consultations with residents on housing plans.
The city council has identified land for acquisition in Linbro Park, Lombardy East and Modderfontein .
