Residents of Region F have urged the City to address the housing backlogs, illegal backyard housing structures, abandoned and derelict buildings and highjacked building in the inner city.
This emerged during the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultation meeting for Region F at Joubert Park on Wednesday, 21 April 2021.
“We are concerned that there are people who are on the 96/97 Housing Waiting List and have not been allocated houses. What is the city’s plan in fast-tracking the building of RDP houses? We have been renting for years in backyards and derelict flats with major maintenance and structural issues,” said Yvonne Mohlauli from Ward 123.
Another resident Brian Pali said “the city furnished people informal trading permits at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 and this contributed to illegal trading in the inner city”. He asked what the city is doing to address illegal informal trading as there is no demarcation in terms of areas where people are allowed to trade.
Responding to some of the questions raised, MMC Masuku said: “We will look into the matter of informal trading and demarcating the stalls for the informal traders. The city recently approved the draft Informal Trading Policy, which is aimed at creating a well-managed informal trading sector, along with its needs. It is also consistent with the Growth and Development Strategy 2040 and the priorities of the Government of Local Unity.”
The Speaker of Council in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Nonceba Molwele, who was the programme director, was accompanied by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso, MMC for Group Corporate & Shared Services Cllr Loyiso Masuku, Ward 59 Councillor Cllr Tjitjila Mashao, Acting Group Head CRUM Irene Mafune and Acting Regional Director Roger Ganhes.
Cllr Molwele encouraged them to engage in the discussions towards enhancing the draft IDP and Budget as well as proposed tariffs. She emphasised that the city cannot plan alone it needs community participation.
She thanked residents and stakeholders for attending, saying it shows interest. Cllr Molwele urged residents to engage meaningfully with the government and influence development decisions.
Some of the projects being undertaken in Region F include the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange which is expected to be completed in two months, the Johannesburg Inner City Transport Master Plan, the upgrading of Jack Mincer Taxi Rank, the construction of Selby Depot, the Our City, Our Block community partnership project in Hillbrow, to mentioned a few.
MMC Mabaso said: “It is important for residents to input and engage the city so that you take ownership of these documents as these are the documents we are going to use in terms of responding to service delivery challenges.”
Written by Dudu Lushaba
