During Wednesday’s reply to the State of the City debate in Kwa-Thema, the executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, legitimised the illegal land grab on Dann Road by promising services such as electricity and refuse removal to residents of the informal settlement.
This is according to Clr Jaco Terblanche, DA member of the community oversight committee in Ekurhuleni.
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In a statement issued on Thursday, Terblanche said: “The Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni is concerned over the actions of the governing ANC with regard to the illegal land occupation at 27 Dann Road in Glen Marais.
“Despite previous assurances from the EMPD that they would monitor the area to ensure that no further illegal settlement takes place pending an eviction case before the High Court, more and more shacks are being erected and the situation is becoming untenable.
“While the DA supports the constitutional right of every citizen to basic services and human dignity, we also support the right to private property ingrained in the Constitution of South Africa. The granting of these services must thereby be governed according to the legislation and policies put in place by Ekurhuleni Metro, namely the Municipal Finance Management Act. Failure to do so amounts to irregular expenditure and sets a dangerous precedent going forward,” he added.
“The correct process the City should follow is to request permission from the land owner before they can provide these services. If the owner denies the request, the City should then approach the court to ask permission to provide these services.
“The actions indicate a worrying concern that the governing ANC are aligning themselves to the radical policies of the EFF that blatantly flout the rule of law and do not have the residents’ interests at heart.
“The DA will continue to fight for the rights of the residents of Glen Marais by ensuring compliance is followed and the law is upheld. This includes the rights of citizens to basic services according to the policies and measures put in place that govern the City of Ekurhuleni,” Terblanche said.
