The Citizen (KZN)

ASK YOUR #MAYOR

Your questions on housing and billing answered

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1. Dear Mr Mayor, since the dawn of our democracy, we have been on an RDP housing waiting list. As people who registered in 1999, they keep telling us they are still busy with 1998. What is going to happen with people who are on the list and don’t get their houses? Regardless of the salary, because I have registered, I must get a house. How can you sort this out? Christina Maluleka

We are alive to the fact that housing needs within the city far outweigh the supply. It is for this reason that the city has developed a project pipeline that will ensure that the affordable rental market is catered for.

With regards to the waiting list, applicants must visit their nearest customer care centre with their proof of registrati­on; “Form C”. This form shows the date on which you applied and your applicatio­n number.

To check if your name appears on the provincial waiting list, take this form to your nearest satellite office or provincial office.

Once your name is on this list the process has begun.

Keep checking with your satellite office or the provincial office on the progress made with your applicatio­n.

Under the multi-party government, Tshwane will continue to champion equitable and fair access to a range of housing solutions to deserving individual­s.

2. Dear Mr Mayor, there are so many vacant pieces of land in Eersterust, Pretoria. Why can’t housing be provided for Eersterust residents? This was our plea a year ago, when Tina Joemat-Pettersson visited Eersterust. Eersterust residents plead for housing. Michelle Adams, Eersterust.

It needs to be emphasised that not all vacant pieces of land are suitable nor zoned for habitation and that some of these properties belong to private owners and the city. It would be very careless from the city’s side to erect residentia­l properties on all these properties while neglecting the need for schools, clinics etc.

While we acknowledg­e the need for more housing opportunit­ies, as a caring city, we equally call on communitie­s to exercise restraint and not disregard the law by occupying land illegally.

The City of Tshwane is working with the provincial government to ensure that a range of housing opportunit­ies are available for different income levels and speeding up the delivery of title deeds to state-subsided housing so that recipients have legal ownership of their homes.

3. Dear Mayor, my name is Nontuthuze­lo E Stuurman (Dangala), residing in Mamelodi East. I’m involved in a long battle with the municipali­ty over wrong billing, which started in 2012. I had forwarded a complaint to the mayor’s office somewhere in 2012-13. The point is, I am a citizen of this country and a taxpayer. I believe civil servants are employed by taxpayers in this country, but they act like they are doing us favours.

I’m writing to inform you that I had a negative experience at City of Tshwane account/customer care & electrical department­s. I have written e-mails for my issue to be resolved, but up until now nothing was done. First of all, I recognise that you, as the reader of this letter, are not responsibl­e for my bad experience, but I am upset about the situation.

Again, I am calling on you as my last hope for my problem. I been have humiliated by this whole saga. I would like this situation to be resolved so I can continue to be a loyal Mamelodian citizen.

One of the City of Tshwane’s missions is to enhance the quality of life of all the people of Tshwane through a developmen­tal system of local government and by rendering efficient, effective and affordable services. We are not sure whether this mission accommodat­es us and no one wants to take control and ownership of our enquiry or complaint.

I’d like to offer my sincere apology for the bad experience you have encountere­d with regards to your billing account.

I have referred your enquiry to our finance department to establish what could be the problem with your account and they will revert directly back to my office. My team will be in contact with you to provide you with the feedback.

 ??  ?? Solly Msimanga MAYOR OF TSHWANE
Solly Msimanga MAYOR OF TSHWANE
 ?? Picture: Jacques Nelles ?? Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga in his new office at the Tshwane House building.
Picture: Jacques Nelles Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga in his new office at the Tshwane House building.

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