Unresolved land issue boils over in Westonaria
THE Westonaria local municipality in Gauteng scrambled to resolve delays in securing land for a housing development which caused violent service delivery protests at the Waterworks informal settlement in Zuurbekom yesterday.
Co-operative governance and human settlements MEC Ntombi Mekgwe confirmed plans to transfer land — from Johannesburg to Westonaria — saying: “Talks between Johannesburg and Westonaria municipalities are already under way to facilitate the transfer of land from Johannesburg to Westonaria municipality for housing development.” The planned development at Seyferfontein is due to accommodate 28,000 units.
The land transfer is also an important part of facilitating power and water connections.
South African Police Service spokesman Kay Makhubela said at least 176 people were arrested after violent protests erupted at the informal settlement yesterday.
The Waterworks informal settlement has no electricity and “a few communal taps”, residents said.
With elections due early next year, service delivery protests could spur councillors to take action.
Zuurbekom area councillor Gladys Khoza said arrangements would be made to speak to the informal settlement dwellers soon.
Westonaria’s council speaker Smuts Monoane said the land for the proposed housing development belonged to the City of Johannesburg, but negotiations were under way. “That process is still unfolding between Johannesburg and Westonaria. It is not yet finalised. It (the land) belongs to City of Johannesburg. The government process may take some time to resolve the matter,” Mr Monoane said.
Informal settlement resident Solomon Moraudzi said he did not participate in yesterday’s protest, but that many people living in Waterworks had for years been waiting for service delivery.
“They promised us houses years ago. This place is not good to stay in. When it rains some shacks get damaged and there are children living here. Khoza has been ignoring these problems and just electioneering,” Mr Moraudzi said.