DA opposes occupations

The front-page headline in yesterday’s Daily Dispatch (“DA Supports Illegal Occupations”, DD, Jan 8) is both misleading and disingenuous.

What was repeatedly stated at the various interactions with the communities in Buffalo Flats is that while the DA empathises with their plight and will do everything in our power to ensure a transparent and inclusive housing list, we do NOT support illegal occupations.

Given that the local ANC ward councillor in the area, Cllr Rosaline Vitbooi, allegedly said that coloured people and DA members won’t be getting houses, and that there are no fewer than three housing lists circulating for the same project, it is clear that this issue is being politically manipulated.

It is for this reason that the DA tabled a motion in the Buffalo City council calling for a forensic audit and investigation into the housing lists, and we now await an urgent report (which was due last year!).

We are also pursuing various other options to ensure that the proper beneficiaries of these housing projects are identified.

The DA will continue to fight for One South Africa for All who live in it. We will ensure that those who have been properly registered receive the houses they are due. We will not succumb to the divisive politics and race-baiting of the ANC.

– Kevin Mileham, DA MP, constituency leader of Buffalo City Metro