Mooiplaats move on hold
Tshwane metro puts the controversial relocation of Mooiplaats residents on hold.
The Tshwane metro has temporarily put the relocation of Mooiplaats residents to Olievenhoutbosch on hold.
Mayoral spokesperson Blessing Manale said the decision to put the move on hold came after the SA national civic organisation (Sanco).
Flyers distributed in Olievenhoutbosch by Sanco ward 77 (Olievenhoutbosch) stated: “Come and join Sanco, let us stop Mooiplaas from occupying extension 27 is for Olievenhout residents! (sic)”
“The disruption caused by these residents has necessitated a temporary delay in the relocation so as to ensure the metro’s plans are implemented with ease, under safe and secure conditions and with the acceptance of the community,” said Manale.
“MMC for Community Safety and leaders of Council Business Cllr Terence Mashego, today visited the community of Mooiplaats and Olievenhoutbosch where they received a memorandum from the community, necessitating a need for the final round of consultation on the relocation modalities and to address minor concerns from the community relating to the transparency of the process and a re-prioritisation of some of the beneficiaries.”
Irate residents barricaded the R55 and burned tyres in the middle of the road.
Police had to use rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd.
Manale and ward councillor Mahomed Essop said part of the reason for the relocation of the Mooiplaats residents was the proximity of the informal settlement to a privately owned landfill site.
Essop said young children in Mooiplaats were especially vulnerable and were becoming sick from living so close to the landfill site.
Manale said the Mooiplaats settlement was also built on privately owned dolomitic land.
“In terms of the relocation plans, 759 families will be moved to permanent serviced stands in Olievenhoutbosch Extension 60 with all their belongings. The metro has enlisted a service provider to dismantle, transport and re-build the shacks at the new site.”
Of all the 8 384 shacks in the Mooiplaats settlement, 4 050 were inhabited by South African citizens, 1 983 by foreigners, and 1895 were empty.
Though this only comes to 7 928 units, Manale said some smaller units, or even ‘shacks within shacks’ or small extensions on shacks were not counted, hence the discrepancy in the figures.
He said 80 families from both Mooiplaats and Choba will be moved to extension 27 in Olievenhoutbosch when the houses being built by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements have been completed.
Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said: “We trust the affected Mooiplaats families will revel in their new home and settle in with no trouble. Residents of Olievenhoutbosch are encouraged to welcome their neighbours to facilitate peaceful co-existence as brothers and sisters as we build a better Tshwane for all.”
“We remain committed under the Re Aga Tshwane programme to fast-track the process of formalising informal settlements and providing decent housing opportunities and rudimentary services to our people, and reiterate that the decision to relocate the Mooiplaats informal settlement was taken after the metro engaged with all stakeholders intent on accelerating our efforts to provide decent and secure housing to our people.”
Ramokgopa will meet the Olievenhoutbosch community on Tuesday 10 November, to further discuss residents’ concerns.
Manale said the Olievenhoutbosch extension 27 and 60 developments can potentially be developed into 6 000 low-income housing units.
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