What was supposed to have been a celebration and joyful day for Ivory Park residents was spoilt by a disgruntled group of people when Joburg mayor Clr Herman Mashaba was about to hand over title deeds to the beneficiaries.
A scuffle was started by disgruntled members of the community who were denied an opportunity to ask questions, as the mayor was leaving the podium to hand over the title deeds.
The incident took place on Wednesday, during the mayor’s visit at the Ivory Park North Hall.
About 40 title deeds were issued to members of the community.
Accompanying the mayor were members of his mayoral committee, councillors and Region A director Abigail Ndlovu, who acted as programme director.
When addressing members of the Ivory Park community at a packed hall, Clr Mashaba said, “I am thrilled by your support and it shows you that Ivory Park people have problems. You need a government that will listen to your problems. I am not here representing my political party, I am here representing the government of Gauteng.”
Clr Mashaba emphasised that the role as government is to create jobs for its people, more importantly the youth.
“Our youth unemployment is 37 percent. We need more investors to invest in our region,” said Clr Mashaba.
He said they have a total of 48 informal settlements and the congestion is high.
“We have to look at the issue of formalising the informal settlements,” he told those present.
The other issue which was raised by the MMC for Housing, Clr Mzobanzi Ntuli, was people selling stands illegally.
“I am going to meet with officials from housing in this region later. We must earn the community’s trust for us to move forward,” said MMC Ntuli.
Gogo Emily Khoza was issued with her title deed by Clr Mashaba.
“I am over the moon, I don’t have words to express how excited I am,” said Gogo Khoza.
