WATCH: Protesters demand clarity on housing
Protesters from several informal settlements in and around Brakpan come together along Location Road to protest housing uncertainty.
Occupants of several informal settlements in and around Brakpan came together on Monday morning along Location Road to protest housing uncertainty.
The residents, many from the Mgongo informal settlement area (Brakpan Old Location) are seeking clarity from the City of Ekurhuleni’s Department of Human Settlements.
Community representative Simphiwe Mokoena raised concerns about rumours that Mkhancwa, an informal settlement in Maryvlei, may fall under Ward 105 following new municipal demarcations.
Residents fear this could affect their beneficiary status in the Brakpan Old Location project. This is according to Siphiwe Segodi (Planact Programme coordinator), representing Mkhancwa.
“Last time there was a meeting, officials from the municipality were here. Now they promise us we have to stay here because we have a court order,” one of the protesters told the Brakpan Herald.
“Our court order states that we’re going to stay here for 30 years until they finish building our houses,” he said.
Some protesters were from other local informal settlements, including Never-Never and the former Plastic City.
They addressed fears that they too could be driven out of their homes like occupants of Plastic City. Despite the protest not obstructing Location Road, and protesters being peaceful, there were reports of rubber bullets being fired by law enforcement into the crowd, injuring one elderly man.
The protesters requested an audience with Ward 95 Clr Brandon Pretorius to clarify the housing, safety and service delivery concerns of residents.
“The protest arose from a number of long-standing concerns that the occupants of Brakpan Old Location feel have not been adequately addressed by the city,” said Pretorius.
“One of the primary issues relates to the manner in which the Human Settlements Department intends to roll out proposed reblocking of the settlement. There is significant concern about the process, consultation, and the practical implications of the proposed reblocking plan. A meeting has now been scheduled with the department to seek clarity on these matters.
“Once detailed information has been provided and properly considered, comprehensive feedback will be shared with the community.”
Housing development
The city first confirmed in 2017 that the Brakpan Extension 13 Development was certain to happen.
As for the people living on the land in the hope that they can lay claim to houses once they have been built, it was explained that the development will be integrated and consist of subsidised houses, bonded houses, etc. and that the acquisition of subsidised houses will be totally dependent on the beneficiary administration process.
In November 2019, the Herald reported the city appointed a contractor for the Old Brakpan Location Mixed Use Housing Project and phase one of the development was underway. This phase of the project was for bulk infrastructure and the expansion of the road.
The information shared at the time was that the bulk infrastructure will only be installed to the left of Location Road (if travelling towards Hospital Road), the same side where the site is being established.
@brakpan_herald Residents from several informal settlements in and around Brakpan protested today on housing promises, disputing housing lists and rendering allegations of bias in the selection process for RDP housing next to the Mgongo (Old Location) informal settlement.
The opposite side of the road will be part of a different phase. Officials met with occupants of the informal settlement in the area at the time and explained that many of them will not qualify for housing once houses have been erected as not all will meet the requirements.
They will also not be included simply because they are there. It was also stated at the time that the housing project will still be a lengthy process and houses won’t be seen soon. The development looks to house approximately 7 000 families once completed.
In July 2022, the city’s MMC for Human Settlements met with the community of Mgongo to discuss the future of the occupants, some of whom were to be relocated because they were located where bulk services need to be installed.
It was also revealed that the settlement had undergone an audit, which included the numbering of structures, as well as a head count of individuals per structure. This was to ensure the settlement does not grow any further.
