“Undeveloped land must be expropriated to accommodate the growing population in adequate human settlements,” said the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina.
He was speaking at the metropolis annual meeting that is currently underway at Sandton Convention Centre.
Speaking as one of the panelists under the topic of inclusive settlement development, Masina indicated that while the City is rolling out serviced stands and rental stock as part of the City’s strategies to provide adequate human settlements, the expropriation of undeveloped land is another option.
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“We will tap into exploring options of expropriating land that has remained unused and undeveloped since 1994 in the interest of promoting inclusive human settlement,” Masina said.
Among the projects currently underway, is the allocation of serviced stands so communities living in congested informal settlements are settled in areas where their dignity is restored by having basic services such as electricity, roads and water.
The City has a target of providing 6 000 rental stock units during the current term of office. This type are already finished and occupied at the Germiston City Centre. This is to cater for residents who are not ready to buy a house, and those who previously had little means to live in the CBD, closer to work.
The 6 000 rental stock target for the five-year term will double the number of rental stock units that the City already has.
The metropolis annual meeting, which will end today (Wednesday), is hosting mayors of big international cities and local cities, leaders of national and regional governments as well as global development partners.
