ATC200618: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the Petition Relating to the Illegal Occupation of Stand 1/1224, Number 42, Second Avenue, Alberton North, Under the City of Ekurhuleni, Dated 17 June 2020

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS ON THE PETITION RELATING TO THE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF STAND 1/1224, NUMBER 42, SECOND AVENUE, ALBERTON NORTH, UNDER THE CITY OF EKURHULENI, DAED 17 JUNE 2020

 

Having considered the petition dated 11 February 2020, from Mr Willie Basson (on behalf of the residents of Ward 37 in Alberton North), pertaining to illegal occupation of Stand 1/1224 (Number 42, Second Avenue, in Alberton North), the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs reports as follows:

 

1. BACKGROUND

 

1. The Portfolio Committee received a petition dated 11 February 2020, from Mr Willie Basson, writing on behalf of the residents of Ward 37 in Alberton North. The petition called for the National Assembly to investigate the illegal occupation of Stand 1/1224, No.42, Second Avenue in Alberton North.

 

1. In response to the request, which the Committee entertained in line with its mandate to exercise oversight over the local sphere of government, the Committee called the City of Ekurhuleni before it on Wednesday 03 June 2020, to brief it on the matter.

 

1. PRESENTATION

 

Mr Darren Bergman (DA), constituency head of Alberton, led the introduction of the petition’s subject matter as follows:

 

1. Property owners and residents in Alberton North have been complaining since 2011 regarding the illegal occupation of garages and building belonging to the Department of Education.

 

1. There was a Court Order to evict the illegal occupants, but they are still there several years later. The South Africa Police Service has not taken action, and the Ekurhuleni Council has not provided alternative accommodation.

 

1. Officials from the City of Ekurhuleni were avoiding visiting the area, and there were no chemical toilets in place.

 

1. The proposed remedies are: switch off the electricity supply to the place; confiscate the loud speaker system in the premises; the metro must enforce the eviction order; police must act on the drug sales; investigate the alteration of the garages for accommodation; fine the illegal mechanics in the property, and prevent the use of the public park as a public toilet facility

 

1. RESPONSE FROM CITY OF EKURHULENI

 

The City noted the inputs from Mr Bergman, noting that it was supplying chemical toilets extensively, including to all its 119 informal settlements. It would investigate the alleged issue of non-existent chemical toilet supply in the buildings and garages in question. Executive Mayor, Mr MzwandileMasina also committed to leading the City towards the resolution of the matter.

1. COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS

 

1. The Committee welcomed the Executive Mayor’s undertaking to resolve the Ward 37 matter.

 

1. It noted that the District Development Model should assist in facilitating the coordination needed to resolve the matter, as it involved diverse role players.

 

1. As the owner of the stand in question, and a key stakeholder in the matter, the Gauteng Department of Education should have been part of the meeting.

 

1. For the Committee to get the full story, it needed to hear from all the parties involved in the matter.

 

1. RECOMMENDATIONS

 

1. The Committee should bring together all the key stakeholders involved in the Ward 37 issue, including the Gauteng Department of Education, within three months of the adoption of this Report.

 

1. From the City of Ekurhuleni’s side, the Executive Mayor should initiate the process of starting engagements with all the involved parties, and report to the Committee two weeks after the date of the petition’s hearing.

 

1. The Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements, Cooperative and Governance and Traditional Affairs must assist the Executive Mayor where required.

 

Report to be considered.