08/08/2017: Community meeting postponed due to threats of violence
I am deeply disappointed by a group of people who violently disrupted a planned community meeting, organised by my department, for the communities of Malibongwe Ridge and surrounding areas.
The scheduled meeting would have afforded my department an opportunity to report and communicate to the community of Malibongwe Ridge on progress made on the housing project in the area.
To address the 300 000 housing backlog currently faced by the City, my department has, since coming into office worked tirelessly to restore the dignity of our homeless residents. To this effect 888 housing units in Malibongwe Ridge are ready for allocation.
Yesterday’s meeting was disrupted by a group of protesters in ANC branded clothing who were determined to prevent the City from engaging with residents on a much needed platform to jointly work towards finding long term solutions to the communities’ housing challenges.
Attempts by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) as well as the South African Police Services (SAPS) failed to calm the meeting. I have therefore taken a decision to postpone the meeting at a date and time to be communicated as the safety of the residents who elected to attend the meeting could not be guaranteed.
Presently, the SAPS and the JMPD are jointly working to identify persons responsible for these planned acts of violence and other criminal activity which hinders the work of the department.
It is essential that we protect the safety of our residents and ensure that they are able to effectively engage with their government. We will not allow the legitimate concerns of communities to become hijacked by criminal elements who would seek to use these platforms to settle their own political agendas.
As a department, we recognise the frustrations of communities. We hear their pleas for dignified housing following years of neglect.
Cllr Mzobanzi Ntuli
MMC of Housing
City of Joburg
For more information please contact:
Bubu Xuba
Communications Officer
Office of the MMC – Housing – Mzobanzi Ntuli
Tel: (011) 018 - 6776
Cell: 082 776 6926
E-mail: Bubux@joburg.org.za"> Bubux@joburg.org.za
Website: www.joburg.org.za
