Old Pietersburg displaced residents ‘misunderstood’
Many years later residents do not want 383 stands from the overall 1 578 that must be distributed but demand 80% of the overall number of stands.
POLOKWANE – Some Westenburg residents seem not to have properly understood the purpose of last Wednesday’s meeting and the feedback disseminated by municipal officials on the land claimant matter, according to Polokwane Municipality spokesperson, Thipa Selala.
Residents acknowledged that they understood Ward 19 councillor Joosuf Pemma and city planning manager, Edwin Shika to have said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was being drafted to legalise the handover of 80% plus 383 stands of the controversial land apportioned for land restitution purposes, to claimants.
Many of these people were moved from the Old Pietersburg to free up space for industrial development according to the municipality, but were still not allocated land which they would use for dwellings.
Many years later, they do not want 383 stands from the overall 1 578 that must be distributed to three groups, but demand 80% of the overall number of stands.
However, both officials through Selala insisted that they merely presented the solidification of what was discussed in August 30 council sitting resolutions, which they say speaks to only 383 stands, the MoU processes and meetings the municipality will convene soon with community representatives for signing.
During the meeting, residents shifted the focal point about land restitution, a new concern listed in the council agenda, which Polokwane Observer has a copy of.
From the three groups consisting of the Ward 19 community, RDP houses and land claimants – only the 383 stands meant for Ward 19 claimants would not receive municipal services.
The community mentioned that the land next to Social Development’s Place of Safety, the Westenburg traffic lights and Percy Fyfe T-Junction, was a wetland and apparently not suitable for human settlement. Selala said this aspect would be followed up on.
Some attempted to refuse the allocation but did not receive much support during the meeting.
A list of rightful beneficiaries of the apportioned Ward 19 land is being compiled by the community and will be used in comparison to the one the municipality will present, the representatives mentioned.
