Removals spike but 36 housing projects planned

SINCE the start of the year there has been a spate of evictions across the province.

The city’s Anti-Land Invasion Unit has also demolished over 6 000 illegally erected structures since January last year, with 1 191 demolished in September 2017 alone.

According to a report signed by DA councillor and utilities and energy services portfolio committee chairperson Philiswa Marman, the AntiLand Invasion Unit has had a 100% success rate in curbing planned land invasions on City and provincial-owned land this year.

The report states the most recent “hot spots” for land invasion attempts in February were Langa, Dunoon, Endlovini/ Monwabisi, SST, Makaza, Masiphumelele, Nyanga, Crossroads, Gugulethu, Philippi, Mfuleni, Wallacedene and Bloekombos.

A draft budget presented by the City’s mayoral commit- tee member for transport and urban development, Councillor Brett Herron, stated the City proposed to spend R2.1 billion on the development of new housing opportunities over the next three financial years, with R585 million budgeted for 2018/19.

“The draft capital budget provides a list of 36 housing developments which are either in the planning phase, already under way, or in the process of being finalised,” it read.

These projects are in Nyanga, Atlantis, Heideveld, Fisantekraal, Grassy Park, Somerset West, Scottsdene, Hangberg, Durbanville, Bardale, Belhar, Delft, Gugulethu, Manenberg, Strand and Blue Downs, among others areas.

Herron confirmed to Weekend Argus that a total of 350 394 residents had been registered on the City’s housing database for a housing opportunity, with the list being updated daily.

Residents from Scottsdene in Kraaifontein march to the Cape Town High Court to protest for houses.

Salome Paulse, 35, who lives in Klein Akker, says she also wants a house.