Today, I received disappointing news of a group of law breakers who vandalised the newly-launched Bokamoso Social Housing Project last night, following its official opening yesterday.
A group of 50 people burned five units and vandalised 30 units at the site. No injuries were reported except for a pregnant woman who fell down from a wall while trying to flee the scene.
The group of attackers pulled out sewage pipes, knocked down walls and destroyed the transparent fencing around the project. The property’s security immediately called back-up, including local SAPS and JMPD to assist.
Such criminality cannot be tolerated under any circumstances within our City. We cannot allow thugs to terrorise law abiding members of our community and damage housing property when so many within the City are desperate for housing.
Indeed, it is believed that the attack on the property was perpetrated by individuals who do not qualify for the social housing scheme and whom do not wish to pay rent yet demand to occupy our units.
I am advised by the CEO of JOSCHO, Mr Anthony Ngcezula, that a case has been opened with local South Africa Police Services (SAPS). I pray that SAPS will do all that is within the power to ensure that these law breakers meet the full might of the law. In order to assist in this, I have instructed the City’s JMPD to work with the SAPS in order to track down these criminals.
In the meantime, I have also instructed JOSHCO to ensure that those who were displaced are supported following the incident.
Delivering quality low-cost housing remains an important objective of the multi-party administration. Despite this, we have remained transparent about the City’s inherited housing backlog and the limited resources within the City to face this extensive challenge. While I sympathise with communities’ frustration and disillusionment after years of being on a housing list, breaking the rule of law cannot become a solution.
Bokamoso, is an example of the future of bonded-housing mix-development aimed at integrating mixed-income groups to achieve social, economic and spatial integration. It is located with easy-access onto the Golden Highway, showing my commitment to ensure that residents have better access to a road network that links them to economic opportunities in the city. The completion of the development would see 588 single occupancy and family units providing safe and affordable low-cost housing for our people.
It is disheartening to see these milestones being undermined by a few individuals who are determined to spread lawlessness within communities. In order to begin addressing the housing challenge within the City, last month, Council approved the release of an additional 71 properties for mixed-use development. This is on top of the 13 properties released last year. Once developed, these properties will assist in providing quality low-cost housing for residents within the City. This initiative is to be complemented by the City’s traditional housing typologies.
In addition, I have also instructed the MMC for Housing, Cllr Meshack Van Wyk, JOSHCO CEO, Anthony Ngcezula to begin conducting an audit of all persons housed within City properties so as to ensure that the lawful occupants of those properties are housed within them. I appeal to communities to raise their concerns in a manner that doesn’t infringe on the rights of others. A healthy democracy is comprised of people who seek solutions together and build a future that leaves a legacy for generations to come.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
For media enquiries:
Omogolo Taunyane
Media Specialist: Office of the Executive Mayor
Mobile: 079 451 5211
Landline: 011 407 7527
Email: omogolot@joburg.org.za
