Informal Settlements along Railway Lines: briefing by Transnet

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
14 November 2006
INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS ALONG RAILWAY LINES: BRIEFING BY TRANSNET
 
Chairperson: Ms Z Kota (ANC)
 
Document handed out
Informal Settlements on the Railway Reserve
 
SUMMARY
Transnet briefed the Committee on the status of informal settlements situated along railway lines. The presentation outlined the challenges and constraints experienced. In addition, the dangers to the inhabitants of these settlements and the types of interventions needed were outlined.
 
Members unanimously expressed unhappiness regarding the mushrooming of informal settlements along railway lines. Transnet was interrogated about its failure to cooperate with provinces and municipalities. Questions were also raised about its efforts to identify alternative land for relocation, the costs involved and the details about its new awareness campaign.
 
The Committee demanded that Transnet respond to its concerns by formulating a detailed plan of action that included time frames, practical action and real coordination.
 
MINUTES
 
Briefing by Transnet
Mr Siyabonga Gama, Transnet Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the problems and dangers that informal settlements along railway lines created. An amount of R2.5 million per site was required to cover the cost of evictions and relocations.
 
The presentation indicated the number of settlements in the different regions of the country. A further distinction was made between high, medium and low risk settlements. The negative consequences relating to the operations, safety, security and inhabitants that emanate from an informal settlement being located alongside a railway line were mentioned.
 
The legal process, limited capacity and community resistance have been identified as factors that frustrate any attempt to address the problem. The presentation suggested that community awareness, amendment of legislation and intervention from the Legislature and Cabinet could help overcome impediments.
 
The presentation promoted the creation of Temporary Relocation Areas (TRAs). It hoped that the legislature would establish the necessary policy and the judiciary would accept relocation to a TRA when granting eviction orders. Current interventions by Transnet were outlined.

Discussion
Mr G Schneemann (ANC) voiced concern about the unacceptable conditions he witnessed while travelling by train in the Western Cape and Ekurhuleni. Furthermore, he found it problematic that the Department of Housing was not listed as a stakeholder in the presentation.
 
Mr A Steyn (ANC) asked why informal settlements mushroomed along railway lines.
 
Mr Gama answered that this was a societal problem and could not be ascribed to Transnet.
 
Mr Steyn wanted more details on the cost of R2.5 million per site.
 
Mr Gama explained that this money was used for legal costs, which arose when dealing with evictions. Additional costs for fencing and the building of overhead bridges were also factored in. Lastly, he related an incident where funds were used to relocate a school.
 
Mr Steyn wondered whether Transnet provided some form of housing subsidy to evictees.
 
Mr Gama stated this was not the case.
 
Mr Steyn believed that there was no cooperation between Transnet, the provinces and municipalities.
 
Mr Gama replied that there was no intention to exclude anybody. He admitted that there could be better cooperation and added that Transnet has had positive engagements with many municipalities.
 
Mr Steyn asked for more details on the campaign that Transnet was about to launch.
 
Mr J Dludlu, Head of Communications at Transnet, responded that the awareness campaign would be covered by both television and radio in all 11 official languages. Emphasis would be placed on the safety aspect.
 
The Chairperson sought to establish what preventative measures Transnet had taken.
 
Mr Gama stated that traditionally there were fences separating these communities from railway lines. These fences no longer existed because of vandalism and theft. He advanced the erection of electric fencing and the importance of appealing to the people’s consciousness. Finally, he declared that the issue of safety was a priority, which had been elevated to the level of the Transnet Board.
 
Mr D Mabena (ANC) challenged Transnet to take a bottom-up approach when dealing with this issue. He cited an example in Mamelodi where Transnet only acted after the fact.
 
Mr Gama denied that there was a top-down approach.
 
Mr Scheemann asked how many areas had benefited from successful interventions.
 
Mr Gama said that there were 12 to 14 areas where there had been successful interventions. He felt that proper community sensitisation was needed to achieve these successes.
 
Mr Scheemann commented that while Transnet reported to the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprise, this Committee had an important role to play because this was a housing issue.

Mr Scheemann requested more information about the time needed to address the high-risk areas.
 
Mr Gama indicated that R120 million had been set aside for the next two years to tackle the high-risk areas.
 
Messrs Steyn and Scheemann enquired whether Transnet had identified alternative land for relocation purposes.
 
Mr Gama answered in the affirmative. He asserted that in some cases Transnet land was donated to municipalities for development and relocation.
 
Mr Steyn observed that the presentation raised more problems than solutions. He instructed Transnet to prepare a more detailed presentation.
 
Mr Gama concurred with this view. He stated that this was only a preliminary report and that he was committed to engaging in detail with the Committee at a future date.
 
The Chairperson echoed this view and requested a detail plan of action from Transnet.
 
The meeting was adjourned.