No lies, just lengthy paperwork for land issue

Speaking on behalf of community members of Ward 80, the civic organisation’s secretary Derrick Seloane told Midrand Reporter that “Mayor Parks Tau and the former Mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo promised the community of Rabie Ridge that they will give them land to build houses”.

“Since 2011 people still live in shacks and the regional director Abigail Ndlovu has disappointed us,” he said. “Two days ago Ndlovu said she invited us to a meeting. That is not true, they said they will tell us the date but never came back to us.”

Representing Ndlovu, Pierre Nel, citizen relationship and urban management for Region A spokesperson, said they were aware of the promises made to Ward 80. “The region received an email regarding the ownership of stand 1075 and stand 1345 in Rabie Ridge. A meeting was called and the civic organisation failed to arrive.

“After several years of negotiation the two properties were acquired by the City of Joburg during 2012 and 2013. A procurement committee meeting took place on 17 January. A public meeting will be held to communicate the scope of the project to the community.”

Ward 80 councillor Queen Sikweqa said she was disappointed with the civic organisation. “The regional director invited all stakeholders for a meeting to discuss the land issue on 21 January at the regional office in Midrand and the civic organisation members did not come.

“It is true that Mayor Parks Tau and former Mayor Amos Masondo both made promises to give land to the people in Ward 80,” added Sikweqa. “The meeting we were supposed to have was to explain to the people that the land has been bought by the City of Joburg and for the past two years the City has been busy doing paperwork for that land.”

She said people wanted to see development and they believed they were being lied to. “But I, as their councillor can assure them that the land has been bought,” she concluded.