Housing department to proceed with development of housing plans to de-densify highly populated areas

For Immediate release

Media Advisory

13 July 2020

HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO PROCEED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING PLANS TO DE-DENSIFY HIGHLY POPULATED AREAS

The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo together with the MMC for Housing, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso will tomorrow, 14 July 2020, commence with plans to move thousands of residents of Rabie Ridge in Midrand, who will be beneficiaries of Temporary Relocation Areas (TRA's). This follows the desperate cry for the City to address the issue of overpopulated informal settlements.

An estimated 6000 residents are expected to be moved from informal settlements to TRA's across the City made with prefabricated material as an alternative to stop the spread of Covid-19. This is being done in the hope that through improved and better living conditions, the rate and pace in which Covid-19 is spreading within the province, will be curbed.

The City has a number of high-density areas with a significant population located in informal settlements, which warrants the implementation of drastic yet responsible interventions to prevent a potential rapid spread that could affect millions in a short space of time and with devastating effects to the City and the Country.

Members of the Media are invited to attend as follows:

Date: 14 July 2020

Venue: Cnr Modderfontein and Freedom Drive, Rabie Ridge, Midrand

Time: 9:30 am

For more information and confirmation of attendance please contact:

Mildred (Milly) Matlou

Media Specialist: Mayoral Communications

063 257 0030

Neo Goba

Deputy Director: Communications and Stakeholder Management

Housing Department

Cell: 073 246 8008