/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu will intervene in order to find a lasting solution to the housing challenges faced by the communities of Eldorado Park; Ennerdale; Fine Town; and the surrounding communities of Gauteng as a matter of urgency.

A meeting has already been held with the representatives of these communities and parties agreed to report back in the next ten (10) days and issues raised include inter-alia the following:

The community requested that the Minister intervenes and assist in finding a lasting solution for their problems.

• Problems of backyard dwellers - which the department views as a historic common problem affecting people who reside in the established communities.
• Slow pace of Upgrading of Informal Settlements
• Concerns on housing allocation for people outside the area
• People who have been on the waiting list for a long time

An urgent meeting will be held tomorrow, 11th May 2017 with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen, MEC for Human Settlements Paul Mashatile and the Executive Mayors of both the City of Johannesburg and Tshwane respectively.

Officials from all the affected departments and metros have been instructed to craft a long lasting response to the housing challenges in these areas. These will be presented to the Ministers so that they are converted into programmes of Government and are budgeted for.

The Minister will on Sunday, 14th May 2017, lead a government delegation that will meet with the representatives of the affected communities to look at the proposals and craft the way forward to their challenges.

Minister Sisulu has reiterated that government is serious about resolving the issues raised by the communities. She called for calm until a common ground is found.

Issued by Department of Human Settlements