Minister De Lille to account on vacant land parcels

Dear Cape Town

As Chairperson of the Human Settlements Standing Committee at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, I have written to the provincial Minister for Human Settlements, Tertius Simmers, and national Public Works Minister, Patricia de Lille, for both to account on vacant state-owned properties such as Denel, Culemborg and Wingfield. These land parcels hold the potential to yield inclusive, low-income housing opportunities within the Cape Metro.

Such mega land parcels have the potential to transform the City, address spatial inequalities and bring dignity to residents.

And yet it has been over a year since national government pledged to speed up the release of land for housing projects. Given their strategic locations in proximity to economic centres and access to infrastructure, Western Cape residents need all spheres of government to work together in progressive realisation of housing opportunities. I have further requested a briefing on Erf 81, near the Bo Kaap and Tamboerskloof, as this may also be a suitable land parcel for housing development.

I am hopeful that our oversight meeting will yield positive results, as Minister De Lille is familiar with the vast tracts of land which fall within custodianship of her department, and for which she consistently called for release during her time as Executive Mayor of Cape Town.

The DA in the Western Cape remains committed to spatial redress and dignified housing opportunities for all qualifying residents.

Regards

Matlhodi Maseko, MPP
DA Western Cape Committee Spokesperson on Human Settlements