Residents to be relocated
Residents living in Brazzaville in Atteridgeville are to be relocated by the Tshwane metro because they are living on a dolomite land.
The Tshwane metro is in the process of relocating residents of Brazzaville in Atteridgeville since it has been discovered they are living among explosives.
For many years the people in Phomolong, Vergenoeg, Jeffsville and other informal settlements that fall under the umbrella of Brazzaville have been living on a dolomitic land. Rekord recently reported on how it was discovered that residents are living among explosives and how the explosives ended up on this land.
Retired military officer, Lt-Col Eric Samuels said the explosives now being recovered by residents were buried on the land years ago after the Pretoria blast in 1945.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said Brazzaville was the umbrella name used for most of the Atteridgeville informal settlements sitting on dolomitic land, which in total had a backlog of approximately 20 000 households.
“Plans are in place to relocate these households to projects such as Zandfontein, Fort West, Kirkney, Andeon, Lotus Gardens, Danville, Elandspoort and Lady Selbourne. These projects are planned in partnership with Gauteng department of human settlements as some of the land portions are owned by them.”
Mashigo said phase one for Danville and Elandspoort housing development was being put into effect and some of the Road Reserve informal settlement in Atteridgeville, households had been relocated to those houses. Fort West was at advanced stages of planning and the contractor is expected to be on site soon.
“Phase one of the Lady Selbourne housing project is underway and the Vergenoeg households will be relocated there. However, this land has land claim issues which might affect the implementation. The department together with the Regional Land Claims Court and Gauteng department of human settlements are currently negotiating with the applicants,” said Mashigo.
He said the planning process for Zandfontein, Lotus Gardens, Kirkney and Andeon was in progress and the estimated completion period was some time next year.
Residents feel they have been living on this dangerous land for a long time and need to be moved. Ward councillor Makopo Makola did mention that some residents were reluctant to move and were delaying the process of relocation.
“We are asking residents to be patient. We are in the process of moving and appeal to them to not oppose the relocation as it is for their own safety.”
Makola said last week Thursday the police and explosives unit were in Phomolong at the mountain removing two mortars discovered there. Every time people find explosives in their yards or anywhere else they call the police and Makola to come and assist them.
The SA Defence Force said it would comment later.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Also read:
Homemade bomb explosions investigated
Homemade bomb explodes, two injured
Tenants to vacate explosion scrap metal dealership
One dead, one injured after explosion
Explosion: More projectiles found
