City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said that he wrote to Human Settlements COGTA MEC Lebogang Maile, to approach a joint provincial government in order to address the complex land issue in Lenasia, South of Johannesburg.
Mashaba said he is aware of the protests in Lenasia and its surrounding areas, which took place last week and the events leading to the protests.
Related: MEC Maile meets Lenasia community to solve land issues
“There are two competing and highly complex challenges which face government at all levels in these issues. On the other hand, there is crisis of landlessness in Johannesburg. This created unimaginative approach to housing delivery and land ownership. This has resulted in informal settlements mushroom across the Province. Ensuring of orderly law enforcement of settlements to redress spatial inequality should be implemented. This should be in a manner bringing people closer to potential work opportunities. The challenges require the direct attention of two spheres of government”, he said.
Mashaba said in letters he stressed to MEC Maile the need of ensuring that they plan and coordinate together. He added that between City and Gauteng Provincial Government therefore to avoid trends in the past.
“In previous incidents, there were engagements with communities without solid plans, budget and deliverables to which government could be held to account. Political finger pointing and one-upmanship will not benefit the affected residents. Land parcels belonging to both Province and City have been constructed upon. South African Police Services have hampered City’s efforts to address such issues and they did not take up investigative and intelligence gathering functions. The functions are critically given the sole preserve of SAPS and there is a need to identify orchestrating and profiteering from these occupations”, said Mashaba.
He added that he will join MEC Maile and engage residents of Lenasia.
