ActionSA leader discusses plan to defeat housing crisis
Herman Mashaba, ActionSA leader, plans to continue with his 2017 plan to address the housing crisis by expropriating derelict factories and handing them to the private sector for affordable housing projects.
ActionSA’s leader, and mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba has revealed his plan to tackle the housing crisis in Alexandra.
During his tour of Ward 91 in Wynberg on Tuesday, Mashaba said he would revive the inner-city rejuvenation project, which he first launched in 2017 to transform Johannesburg into a construction site. He explained that the project would involve taking over derelict factories in and around Alexandra, many of which owe the city significant amounts of money. “We want to expropriate them and give them to the private sector to build massive affordable accommodation for the people of Alexandra.” Mashaba noted that this would be done gradually, piece by piece, to ensure that residents of Alexandra see justice.
Read more: City reveals intention to demolish building housing informal settlement in Alexandra
He previously noted that reclaiming hijacked and abandoned buildings and handing them over to the private sector would not only provide affordable housing, but also create jobs and stimulate the economy. According to him, expropriation, where necessary, would be carried out through the relevant legislation.
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: ActionSA’s mayoral candidate in Johannesburg Herman Mashaba says he cannot understand how South Africa can be expected to accommodate undocumented immigrants while it is grappling with an expanded unemployment of 42%. Video: Itumeleng Maloka #Alex #ActionSA #Housing ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Mashaba also addressed the contentious issue of illegal immigration, which is closely linked with Alexandra’s housing crisis and has long been a source of tension in the community. The issue has, in the past, given rise to anti-illegal immigration groups. These groups have since been carrying out campaigns in Alexandra, targeting people believed to be undocumented.
Also read: Alex residents demand housing and jobs at community-based planning session
Mashaba took a strong stance against the illegal immigration issue, stressing that undocumented foreign nationals are not welcomed. “I cannot understand how anyone can expect us, as a country, to accommodate illegal foreigners, when we have 42% of our people unemployed. We have our people living under these conditions. This is totally unacceptable.”
He emphasised that deporting illegal immigrants remains a priority.
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