Question NW1637 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
23 November 2020 - NW1637
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, with reference to the Public Protector’s report on the Masiphumelele Informal Settlement in Noordhoek which was presented to the Portfolio Committee for oversight purposes (details furnished), (a) he will require the Public Protector to revisit the matter to address the plight of the African child, women and the elderly living in horrific conditions on the sides of the seven canals and (b) the residents will be moved to a dry site; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I have been informed by the Public Protector South Africa that the Western Cape Provincial Office of the PPSA attended to complaints lodged by the Masiphumelele Informal Settlement Community (Complainant) pertaining to service delivery failures on the part of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, which resulted in a Settlement Agreement entered into between the Complainant and the City of Cape Town on 18 December 2017.
In terms of the Settlement Agreement, the City of Cape Town undertook to inter alia develop a Spatial Development Framework for the Masiphumelele Community to provide for the delivery of basic services within the City of Cape Town’s financial and administrative capacity.
The PPSA monitored the progress made in terms of the Settlement Agreement, and the City of Cape Town provided regular progress reports. In terms of the monthly reports, the City of Cape Town indicated that the canals in the area had been cleared by April 2019.
I have been informed by the PPSA has indicated that the Honourable Member, lodged a complaint with the PPSA in connection with the living conditions of residents of the Masiphumelele area on 13 July 2020, and in particular, the resettlement of those still living on the sides of the canals. The Honourable Member’s complaint is currently being investigated, and the investigation team in the PPSA has arranged to meet with the Honourable Member. The City of Cape Town has already been approached for a response to the complaint.