Government’s incompetence leads to illegal occupation of District Six

Dear Editor

A year after the 50th commemoration of the District Six evictions, residents are still waiting to return to their former homes. This is partly to blame on the failure of the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti’s inability to meet the 2011 commitment that more than 2600 claimants would be returned to the area by 2014.

I have written to the Minster, Bongikosi Madikizela as Human Settlements Chairperson in the Western Cape, to inquire from Minister Kwinti about the progress made in allocating units to the claimants and whether there are still enough funds for more units to be built.

More than R700 million had been allocated for the area’s development, but there’s very little to show for it. As a result of the delay we’re seeing residents occupying units illegally. This has been the case for two families who after a court ruling are now being forced to vacate the unit they had occupied since 2014.

We are also concerned that the current Phase 3a development, that is due to be completed by the end of February 2017 will not yield the 108 flats on deadline, prompting further illegal occupation of units in the area. The fact that the allocations have also not been concluded speaks to the inefficiency of the Government.

We do not promote or condone any illegal occupation and I urge the claimants to be patient.

As the DA we will not allow the incompetence of National Government to continue denying the rightful owners of District Six the opportunity to return to their rightful place.

Regards

Matlhodi Maseko MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Human Settlements