Update: R55 in Olievenhoutbosch closed by protesters
MIDRAND - Part of the R55 closed by protesters. Read more...
Update 8 March 2017, 8.00am
The march on the R55 on 6 March was led by various organisations including the ANC, SACP, ANCYL, Sanco and the ANC Women’s League.
Sanco branch chairperson, Kleinbooi Aphane from Ward 106, said the houses were not given to the rightful owners, according to the waiting list, which is known to the community. Aphane has called for a stop to the corruption, which has divided the community.
Bongani Mthembu, a resident of Olievenhoutbosch Ext 25 in Ward 60, said his sister was on the list of people to receive a house but to their surprise, she wasn’t granted one.
The residents said the housing problems and corruption have been there for some time but instead of being resolved it’s getting worse.
Jonna Maluleke a resident in the area said he was granted a house in Ext 60 in which he lived for one year but was later told the house was no longer his and he had to move out.
Ward 77 councillor, Sipho Maila said Ext 27 is his ward and he does not understand why people are protesting. Maila has advised anyone who has proof of the corruption to go to the police and open a case, adding that they should also go to him with evidence so they can go to all these people who have received a house illegally and get the problem solved.
Maila said he’s tired of responding to allegations and wants people to bring concrete proof of any corruption, adding that people from Ward 77 do not have any grievances. He claimed it is people from other wards who are protesting instead of talking to their own councillors.
Maila said the distribution of housing was not his responsibility and said he would continue to rubbish corruption claims until a resident approached him with concrete proof.
The entire area along the R55 was crowded with police to stop any violence from breaking out.
Initial Report 6 March 2017, 12 noon
Midrand Reporter’s Welisa Nene reports that the R55 in Olievenhoutbosch is closed due to a protest by residents. The protest was sparked by resident’s concerns over high levels of crime and corruption surrounding the RDP housing project.
Protesters said the rightful owners of the houses [according to waiting list] were not given the houses yet there are people now living in these houses. More on the story as it unfolds.
Watch video of protesters here:
