Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 2012-12-06
There is new hope for Lenasia residents after homes that were built on illegal acquired land were mercilessly demolished last month. Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale announced that from January 2013, government will construct new low-cost houses in Lenasia.
Sexwale however made it abundantly clear that houses would be built for those individuals on government’s housing waiting list.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, he called on those who illegally acquired land in Lenasia to come forward and point out the people they were colluding with, to ensure that the culprits involved in the selling of state-owned land were dealt with.
Sexwale explained that the demolition of houses was done in accordance with a court order granted to government. “The court agreed that those houses can be demolished. The public must understand that we are dealing with a criminal situation and we are mindful that society was concerned,” he said.
According to Sexwale, the South Gauteng High Court ordered the evictions in 2011. Sexwale said government and the Lenasia Special Intervention Team would work together to get to the bottom of the problem.
Prior to addressing the media, Sexwale and the department’s Director General had a meeting with the Lenasia Special Intervention Team members, where they had agreed, among others, to ensure that they have on-going consultation meetings, and to meet with the relevant Chapter 9 institutions to discuss land invasion challenges in Gauteng.
Sexwale said although the demolition of houses had been put on hold for now, it would continue once investigations had been concluded. He said that all structures built on disputed land in Lenasia will undergo inspections to determine whether they will be destroyed or not.
He further reiterated that government was not compelled to find alternative accommodation for those affected by the demolitions. “Lenasia is not a [matter] of the poor; here we are dealing with wealthy individuals,” he said.
The Lenasia Special Intervention Team comprises, among others, representatives of those whose houses were demolished, the South African Police Service, the Hawks and National Prosecution Authority. Sexwale says he’s pleased the team has been able to find a speedy resolutions as the construction of new homes will begin next month.
Sexwale said governments aim is not to devalue legally built homes in the area and that’s the reason they will no longer be building low cost houses only.
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