PMC addresses Macassar ‘relocation’ rumours

THE Central Line Relocation and Recovery Project Management Committee (PMC) says no land has been acquired in Macassar for the relocation of occupants unlawfully living on train lines.

This after it was claimed that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) intended relocating unlawful occupants from the central railway line to Macassar.

The speculation caused outrage among Macassar residents, who opposed the plan.

But the PMC, set up to co-ordinate the relocation process, said no land had been acquired for the second phase of the process. The PMC consists of multiple role-players, including the Housing Development Agency (HDA) as the lead implementing agency, Prasa and the City of Cape Town.

Hundreds of families have already been relocated during phase 1, to land situated behind the Stock Road transport hub in Philippi.

The PMC said it was aware of various media reports relating to the land acquisition process.

It said no land had been acquired for phase 2, as the committee, through the HDA, was still identifying suitable land and considering various land parcels, including state-owned land.

“The Macassar land parcels have also been previously explored as a possible viable option. However, no acquisition has been concluded.

“Public participation will then be undertaken according to the legislated processes, as followed on the phase 1 Philippi Wedge area land parcels, during which affected communities will be consulted,” the PMC said.

Residents in Ward 109 in Macassar previously invited Prasa to a public meeting and handed them a petition expressing their opposition to the relocation of occupants to the area. The relocation of more than 5 000 households has not started. The PMC said the longer the railway line was not operating, the more residents suffered due to exorbitant transport costs.