Pretoria – The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements will set up a task team to deal with service delivery issues in Zandspruit informal settlement and other surrounding areas.
Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo made the announcement this week during an imbizo to engage with the community of Cosmo City and surrounding informal settlements in the north of Johannesburg.
The engagement was part of the post State of the Province Address, where MECs are being sent to various areas to engage with the public about the Programme of Action of Transformation, Modernisation and Reindustrialisation (TMR), as outlined by Premier David Makhura.
MEC Mamabolo said the provincial government is aware that there are challenges in Cosmo City, which is supposed to be a “shining [example of] mixed human settlements in the province”.
“We believe that talking is the better method of dealing with service delivery than fighting – that is the route we prefer. Challenges should be addressed as a matter of urgency and we will take what you say and include that in our programmes of action,” Mamabolo told the community.
Issues raised by residents include lack of human settlements, sewer problems, toilets and backyard rooms mushrooming in Cosmo City.
MEC Mamabolo assured the community that a task team to be formed to investigate all the issues of concern. A report back will be given to the residents before the end of April.
“We are going to work with the City of Johannesburg and the local leadership to resolve issues affecting the three communities. I am making a commitment to you that the Gauteng Provincial Government will work tirelessly to ensure that issues raised here today are resolved,” MEC Mamabolo said.
He also committed to look at the issue of backyard rooms, which residents say the City of Johannesburg wants to demolish.
“We will engage the City of Joburg on notices given to residents who have erected backyard rooms without housing plans and approval from the municipality. My officials and I will further embark on a site visit to inspect the backyards in April and assess the intensity of the situation.”
He said as soon as the investigation is complete and the site visit is conducted, he will come back and address the residents of Zandspruit and surrounding areas.
“When I come back, I assure you, it will not be to listen to the same issues again but to give you feedback on the findings of the task team and what programmes are in place to rectify all the unresolved service delivery challenges in your areas. This will be done before the end of April.” – SAnews.gov.za
