Residents of Promised Land Informal Settlement, Ward 58, Dumped and Forgotten

by Cllr. Sinethemba “Ceba wabantu” Matiwane — DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni

Date: 3 November 2022

Release: Immediate

On Friday, 28 October 2022, the Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni were called to a public meeting by residents of a Promised Land Informal Settlement in Ward 58. These residents of the informal settlement were dumped by the City in a transit area where they were only supposed to stay for a period of six months while waiting for a more permanent and dignified re-settlement.

Months of waiting has since turned into years and there have been no plans for housing or development, more especially in the informal settlement where they currently reside. These residents were previously relocated from Riverside, Phase 5, and Kliprivier. They were promised to be allocated in Palm Ridge Ext 10, which is a couple of meters away from the settlement. However, due to alleged corruption and bribery in housing allocations by City’s officials, people from other areas received priority and were allowed to occupy those houses whilst they were left to linger hopelessly in the informal settlement.

The DA in Ekurhuleni has committed to submit official questions through Council to the City of Ekurhuleni Human Settlements Department as well as to the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements. The questions will be used to determine the beneficiaries of the Palm Ridge Ext 10 project as well as the plans for the future development of the Promised Land Informal Settlement.

Cllr. Sinethemba “Ceba wabantu” Matiwane

DA PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni

082 390 4839

Cllr. Clifford Mohau

DA PR Councilor: Ward 58

084 566 2838