Alleged land sales investigated
ALEXANDRA – Illegal land sale compounds Alex's housing saga.
The alleged illegal sale and occupation of pieces of land in Ext 9, ward 105 in Alex are under investigation, further compounding the township’s housing saga.
The DA’s proportional representative councillor, Shadrack Mkhonto said the allegation, said to implicate a local leader (councillor) and a city (Metro police) official, was forwarded to the MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun last month.
“The land under electric pylons was seemingly sold in allotments for R1 500 to occupants who were allegedly encouraged to construct brick structures to make it difficult to evict them,” said Mkhonto. He said those who tried to occupy them without paying were instead evicted, exposing the saga. Mkhonto said the investigation is in addition to another by council’s department of development and planning of shacks being constructed on other allocations sold for R5 000 to illegal occupants at Vezu Nyawo (expose your thighs) transit camp, in ward 109, Marlboro.
“In both instances, the structures are also illegally connected to water, sewerage and electricity service points.”
Read: Da Gama takes over reigns at Highlands Park
The revelations are after more than twenty years of impasse said to have been derived from the lack of political will and bold action by City and provincial authorities to resolve the township’s housing challenge including, issuing all title deeds to property and land owners; resolving alleged improper and corrupt RDP housing allocation by officials, some said to have been given to foreign nationals; failed by-law enforcement controlling shack construction including on top of pavements, water and sewer mains; illegal power connections that cause incessant winter fires and, many on the housing waiting list now making transit camps permanent homes.
Read: Councillor lambasts Council over land
The level of desperation by land-invading home seekers also creates palpable tensions which flare up into occasional running battles between the police and land invaders. Also, with legal homeowners when the illegal structures are connected to the already strained service points resulting in power failures, burst and blocked sewers and water supplies. The lack of access roads for the emergency management services and the police add to the stress.
Mkhonto said the saga stems from poor planning and failed purchase by the previous City administration of nearby land for promised housing, prompting the disregard for the law through the invasions. He said the current administration whose own budget kicks in in 2018 has been left to clean up the mess and shouldn’t be blamed as it assumed power a year and a half ago.
“Its currently preoccupied with restructuring governance, management and operational issues to infuse efficiency and effectiveness; weeding out corruption resulting in numerous criminal cases, suspensions and dismissals of transgressors and ensuring proper verification of those deserving the houses like in Alex.”
He said the DA’s plan includes assessing the condition of flats in River Park, which were abandoned in 2010 with a view of completing them, properly allocating six properties meant for the elderly in Ext 7, left vacant since 2010 and almost invaded recently. “The mayor will also be allocating the title deeds as part of a process currently underway in Soweto. ”
Details: Councillor Shadrack Mkhonto 079 444 1464.
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