“We compile this letter with great regret and pain with regards to the living conditions to which the residents of Comet (former ERPM Estates) are subjected to.
As the affected youth of Comet, we decided to speak out against the continuous unfair treatment our community receives from our own democratically elected government.
State organs have consistently failed and ignored what residents feel is in the best interest of the community as far as development and service delivery is concerned.
Instead, the municipality decided to, under false pretence, implement what is in its best interest without consulting the relevant stakeholders, thereby only exacerbating the problems already faced by the community.
Demolitions of our homes
The municipality wants to demolish our houses as part of a proposed housing development in our area. As the name of the area suggests and confirmed by the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the area in question is a mining estate, which was acquired by the municipality after a public outcry by the community.
However, the municipality is now disregarding the indigenous residents and decided to raze down our homes to pave way for a high-density residential housing project, despite objections raised by residents to the new plans.
Among the reasons for the rejection of the planned development is that the metro wants to demolish the existing six-room free-standing homes and replace them with four-room high-density houses, as well as dwindling delivery of basic services.
In response to our complaints with regards to service delivery, the metro sent out its teams to commence work on the installations of new water and sewer pipelines in the community, which we all appreciated after being told that it would service the existing homes.
To our surprise, after the project was confirmed complete, we were told by MMC for Human Settlements Clr Lesiba Mpya that the infrastructure development is part of the proposed high-density housing project, and has nothing to do with the old mine houses, which the metro wants to tear down.
This proposition by the municipality had been opposed and rejected before the municipality’s acquisition and is still rejected even today.
The MMC has proved his disregard for the wellbeing of the people by opting to focus his attention on constructing a road, which will lead to the demolition of our homes and directly threatening us with court proceedings that will lead to forced evictions.
When we protest, the municipality unleashes its EMPD on us. They shoot and arrest people, even those found in their own yards.
Demands
As the community, we are demanding the following:
- The metro must restore our original sewer and water lines, or divert the new system from the proposed development to the existing homes.
- Install water meters into the existing structures.
- Maintain existing roads in the area.
- Cede title deeds to the people, as the area was bought with its houses and its occupants.
Also Read: MMC Mpya embarks on door-to-door title deeds handover campaign
