Miscommunication, says Sol
WITH miscommunication apparently the order of the day at the Sol Plaatje Municipality, the chairperson of the Sol Plaatje City Council’s human settlement and housing committee, Ronnie Morwe, has stated that the allocation of ground for the erection of shacks in Chris Hani Park will go ahead as planned.
Morwe yesterday blamed the miscommunication with the community on the municipality’s communication unit for not consulting the portfolio committee on the outcome of its meeting with the community last week.
Morwe confirmed yesterday that the Sol Plaatje Municipality had allocated machinery to clear the land for the community and agreed that shacks could be temporarily erected until a permanent solution was found.
Earlier this week, it was reported that community members had taken to the streets and blockaded Royal Street, the main road leading into Galeshewe, after they accused the municipality of reneging on promises that they could build shacks on the open piece of land opposite the Galeshewe Day Hospital.
A spokesperson for the community, Lawrence Mkhwanazi, said that their anger was sparked by failed attempts to get hold of the committee members to obtain clarity on the way forward after the first part of the veld was cleared.
“It seemed like they were playing games and hanging up the phone when we tried to call them. However, after we blockaded the road on Wednesday afternoon, the committee members came and addressed the community,” said Mkhwanazi.
Earlier in the day, municipal spokesperson Sello Matsie denied that the community had been allocated the land for the erection of their shacks.
He was echoed by mayoral spokesperson Persome Oliphant, who stated that the land could not be allocated for housing as it was reserved for an N12 bypass road.
Morwe admitted yesterday that consultation processes had to be extended and improved within the municipality to avoid any future miscommunication.
“The people with whom you (the DFA) consulted are unaware of the outcomes of that meeting and did not even liaise with us,” Morwe stated. “We agreed with the community that cleaning that space alone will not help anyone as it will become overgrown again and people will use it as a dumping site.
“We also understand their concern that this area is a crime hot spot,” the chairperson added.
According to Morwe, an agreement was only reached to allocate land on the one side of the road that is in the process of being cleared.
“This is only a temporary arrangement as the municipality has not yet done a survey of the planned bypass road.”
A meeting was held yesterday between the community and members of the mayoral committee, where they agreed on a follow-up meeting with the mayor on a date yet to be determined.
“All we need to do is inform council that we released the land for development, and have not sold it. Thereafter proper screening needs to be done before the erection of shacks so that deserving people can be catered for,” explained Morwe.