Question NW180 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
26 March 2021 - NW180
Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)With reference to the informal settlement on Main Reef Road, in Brakpan, Gauteng, known as Plastic City, (a) what steps are being taken by her department to hold the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to account for failing to comply with the previous court orders to suitably rehabilitate the area and find alternative accommodation for the individuals living in the community in the evictions process, (b) what suitable alternative accommodation has been identified and (c) on what date will the metro initiate necessary steps to relocate the residents to a safe and clean living environment; (2) what steps are being taken by her department to ensure that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality puts a stop to illegal mining activity in the area that has resulted in the collapse of the main arterial road in and out of Brakpan; (3) what steps are being taken by her department against the Ekurhuleni Metro to ensure that the living environment is safe for all residents considering this community lives on the Weltevreden Landfill Site for waste; (4) how is her department ensuring that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality fulfills its obligations with regard to this community and the neighbouring community? NW183E
Reply:
The Minister is still awaiting the background information from the Gauteng Provincial Department of COGTA on the matters raised by the Honorable Sarupen, which is necessary for the Minister to provide responses to the questions posed. However, subsection (2) and (3) of the question are matters within the scope of work of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy as well as the Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries, respectively.