More than 400 residents living in the dilapidated Central Hostel in Block H, Soshanguve, are set to be relocated soon.

MMC for Human Settlements, Alderman Aaron Maluleka, announced plans to relocate qualifying occupants to serviced stands as part of a long-term strategy to provide dignified housing and improve living conditions.

Maluleka and Ward 34 Councillor Sisi Sethole visited the hostel to meet with community leaders and discuss the ongoing housing challenges facing residents.

For years, the former Central High School building has served as an informal home for hundreds of families after being unlawfully occupied following the school’s closure.

While the municipality previously relocated qualifying residents to serviced stands, the abandoned property was occupied again.

The ageing structure has now become severely overcrowded and continues to deteriorate, raising growing concerns about the safety, health and well-being of those living inside.

Cracked walls, ageing infrastructure and inadequate municipal services have become part of everyday life for many families who have little alternative accommodation.

Maluleka acknowledged the difficult living circumstances of the many families and assured the community that the metro remains committed to finding lawful and sustainable housing solutions.

“The condition of these buildings poses a significant risk to the people living here. Our responsibility is to provide qualifying residents with access to dignified housing opportunities while ensuring that public safety is not compromised,” he said.

Qualifying residents will be relocated to serviced stands through the applicable housing allocation processes and as opportunities become available.

Municipal officials indicated that once the relocation programme has been completed, the abandoned buildings will be demolished to prevent further illegal occupation and reduce safety risks associated with the ageing structures.

While the relocation process may take time, the metro has committed itself to improving rudimentary service delivery at the hostel to ease the residents’ daily challenges.

This includes addressing basic municipal service concerns while permanent housing solutions are being pursued.

Residents have cautiously welcomed the metro’s plans. Many have waited years for a permanent solution.

Khongelani Masuku said the visit by metro officials gave the community renewed optimism.

“We have lived here for many years without certainty about our future. Many families are raising children in unsafe conditions. We are encouraged that the MMC came to engage with us directly and listened to our concerns. We now hope the relocation process happens as quickly as possible,” she said.

Another resident, Rikhotso Maluleka, said improving living conditions while relocation plans are implemented is equally important.

“We struggle with overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure every day. Better services during this transition will make life easier for everyone.

“What we want is a safe place where our families can live with dignity,” he said.

During the engagement, Maluleka also issued a strong appeal to residents across the city not to unlawfully occupy abandoned buildings or vacant land. He warned that illegal occupations place people in dangerous conditions and undermine the metro’s ability to provide housing fairly.

“Illegal occupation of abandoned buildings not only places lives at risk but also hinders the metro’s efforts to deliver sustainable housing solutions.

“We urge residents to refrain from invading vacant properties and instead work with the city through lawful housing programmes so that we can address the housing backlog in a fair, orderly and sustainable manner,” he said.

The metro said illegal occupations continue to place additional pressure on already limited municipal resources while delaying planned human settlements projects intended to benefit qualifying applicants on the housing waiting list.

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