Gugulethu/Everest Informal Settlement residents now have a chance to get proper housing.
The settlement is located on Payneville Extension Three and this piece of land was approved as a township development at Ekurhuleni Metro’s council meeting last week in Germiston.
Ramesh Sheodin, ward councillor of the area said a township development means that the metro, who is the land owner, will now install proper sanitation, water and electricity in this area.
Sheodin, who was delighted to see that these residents after more than 20 years had been given a chance on a better life, said although these services would not happen overnight the process to make it an habitable living space had been put in place.
“Gugulethu/Everest informal settlement in its present form is not suitable for people to live in and not a healthy environment for children to grow up in.”
Sheodin explains when all amenities are in place, the plan is to temporarily move residents of Gugulethu/Everest to Payneville Extenson One while their RDP houses are being built.
“I am also hoping that finality is reached concerning the toilets that have been built in Payneville Extension One.
“A pending court case has placed the development in an uncertain position,” he said
In another item in the same council meeting, the metro also approved the acquisition of a piece of land in Modder East.
More than 2 000 low cost houses will be built here.
On this Sheodin warned about the establishment of low cost housing south of Modder B/Outeniqua Roads, between the prison and Eastvale.
He is worried about the effect it will have on the sewer system and on property values in Dersley and Eastvale.
“I do not support this low cost housing to be built in the area,” he said.
