Since coming into office in August 2016, I have sought to come to terms with the Statement of Intent that was signed in June 2016, on the eve of the local government elections.
The duty now falls to the multi-party government to take this forward in such a manner that we lead a process that addresses the very real grievances of the people of Alexandra.
This agreement was signed by the previous administration in the City, the Provincial Government and several property owners and other stakeholder groups from Alexandra. It sought to resolve all land claims in Alexandra in an equitable and amicable manner.
The agreement touted four options that would be available to legitimate claimants. These included, the provision of title deeds, the provision of alternative stands, entering into development partnerships, or financial compensation.
Unfortunately, it appears that this was an election ploy to secure votes for the ANC in Alexandra. I am led to this unfortunate conclusion as a result of this being an entirely unfunded commitment without any concrete commitments or plans. The people of Alexandra have suffered from this after many years of broken promises.
For over 2 years I have attempted to engage former MEC Paul Mashatile, current MEC Uhuru Moiloa and Premier Makhura about the funding that was supposed to be made available to execute the Statement of Intent.
No answers have ever come out of these attempts.
While our multi-party government was not privy to this agreement, we recognise that the City of Johannesburg cannot ignore this agreement and we are committed to engage the signatories to the Statement of Intent in total good faith.
We have a responsibility to sit around the table and find lasting solutions to address the genuine grievances to the people of Alexandra.
It is in this spirit that I would like to assemble the collective signatories of this document to understand the causes of delays in this project as well as attempt to pave a collective way forward in this respect.
I will also be extending a similar invitation to the MEC of COGTA and Human Settlements, Uhuru Moiloa, because it is critical that we achieve an inter-governmental approach to the task of paving a way forward.
The Provincial Government will also be key to unlocking the finances required to realise the commitments made in the Statement of Intent.
To ensure that this meeting is not hijacked by political agendas I have also written to the provincial offices of the South African Human Rights Commission and Public Protector to request that they attend this meeting as observers.
As public servants we must operate openly, transparently and with accountability to those we represent.
After decades of blatant lies and broken promises to the people of Alexandra, it is time for us to find lasting solutions to their legitimate grievances.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
Media enquiries:
Luyanda Mfeka
Director: Mayoral Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
