Sir,
At the community meeting last weekend the community raised a number of issues. I did not say anything because I came there in my capacity as a member of the community and the fact that I am the former ward councillor did not give me the right to encroach on the space of the current ward councillor.
I want to take my hat off to councillor Smanga Dlamini for the calm and dignified manner in which he managed a very heated meeting concerning the issue pertaining to title deeds, I have to admit that it was so difficult as a human being to be seated among my people, those who I had the honour of representing, and for those who I fought so hard, yet there was so much of anger and distrust when people were talking. Some went as far as to allude that previous councillors came to the meeting, made promises regarding the title deeds, then left the hall and forgot about the people and continued to earn a fat cat salary.
With due respect to my people who live in the 49 and 20 scheme houses and by extension the people of Peacevale, Forestdale and the township areas of Glencoe and Dundee, many of whom are still awaiting title deeds, that this way of thinking is not correct.
The council, past and present, worked tirelessly to secure title deeds, that is why many people have received the title deeds. Council merely facilitates, and sends off all the completed forms to the DOHS. In my case I convened a meeting at the old Glenridge library in 2011 and previous to that a few at the civic hall.
I was very excited that my people will at last be free and will own their houses, but I was equally disappointed as they were when the department failed to process even a single title deed for Glencoe. I am confident that the present leadership of council will make certain that the transfers will take place very soon.
I also appeal to individuals who are gearing up for elections not to use the plight of these poor and innocent people for their own political gain. Remember most of these people are elderly and uneducated. There is fear being instilled in the community that many homes are being occupied illegally and that the homes will be taken away from them.
I can confirm that the houses were allocated by the council in accordance with laid down procedures.
All beneficiaries produced proof of income when they were being allocated the homes over twenty five years ago.
The fact that 25 years later their lifestyles have improved does not mean that houses will be taken away from them. I trust that the Mayor and Speaker will address this matter when they appear at the promised meeting in August.
I did have a brief conversation with councillor Dlamini last week and he confirmed that he spoke to Mr Raj Naidoo to help out with the filling of forms, in the cases where people do not know how to fill the forms. People can also come to my home if they wish to and I will also assist, but people must please hand in the forms very soon. so that they can be processed.
Pravesh Bisram