DA makes bold promises

The City of Johannesburg has allocated R100 million to revamp the ailing Madala Hostel in Alexandra.

Shadow MMC for Human Settlement in the City, Mervyn Cirota announced this following her oversight visit in Ward 81.

Cirota visited the hostel, the unfinished River Park Flats and two vacant lands near Sizwe and Edenvale hospitals.

The MMC was accompanied by councillor Irene Rugheimer.

Cirota said, “The money has been allocated in the 2019/20 financial year budget.”

After visiting the hostel, Cirota said residents of Madala Hostel are tired of empty promises and their party will take steps to address their situation.

“During our visit to this hostel we were distressed by the appalling and inhumane living conditions that people are exposed to on a daily basis.

“The infrastructure is old, dilapidated and there is no maintenance. There is a shortage of toilets and bathrooms as both males and females are sharing same ablution facilities.”

At the River Park Flats, the MMC said the vacant and incomplete flats are also crumbling with broken doors and cracked walls.

According to Cirota, the flats have been standing empty for almost seven years due to a developer being allegedly liquidated.

“This project is a complete waste of money and indicates a lack of planning from the government.

“We will hold the provincial housing development to account to ensure that the project is complete.”

With regard to the invaded land, Cirota promised to table questions at the Gauteng Provincial legislature to ascertain their plans regarding the matter.

“We want to know if is there a survey that was conducted by the department in terms of that land and what steps is the department taking to stop the ongoing land invasion.”

Edited by Stacey Woensdregt

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