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The Gauteng Provincial Government has condemned the use of violence by residents of Kya Sands informal settlement who took to the streets in protest over service delivery this morning.

“The use of violence is highly unnecessary given that the Provincial Government and the City of Johannesburg have been working with the community to find a solution to challenges related to service delivery in the area.

We have acknowledged that concerns raised by the community are genuine and we remain committed to making the necessary interventions. We have further demonstrated that we are willing to engage and build relationships based on trust” commented MEC for Human Settlements and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo.

“The delay in delivering housing and basic services in the informal settlement has been due to the lack of bulk infrastructure.”

MEC Mamabolo announced that the province, working in partnership with the City of Johannesburg and the National Department of Sanitation, has started the planning process for the roll-out of bulk infrastructure in the area.

The delivery of bulk infrastructure and formalisation of the informal settlement will enable both the province and the City of Johannesburg to connect water, sanitation and electricity services, build roads, housing and social infrastructure such as schools and clinics.

Through the implementation of multi-billion Mega Projects the Department is working jointly with municipalities and state agencies such as Eskom and Rand Water to jointly roll-out bulk infrastructure in identified areas as a strategy to fast track the delivery of housing in the province.

The Mega Projects approach is based on the creation of housing clusters which will deliver over 15 000 mixed housing opportunities across all the corridors in the province. Kya Sands is located closer to the planned Lanseria and Cosmo City Mega Projects and will greatly benefit from the two major housing developments in the area.

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs