The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The City of Tshwane has set aside six weeks to engage the residents of Schubart Park in “meaningful consultation” in accordance with a Constitutional Court directive that the two parties should sit around the table and decide as to how they could resolve their differences regarding either moving back to the complex or getting alternative accommodation. The first consultative engagements are planned for as early as next week.
 
Executive Mayor Cllr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, who was flanked by City Manager Jason Ngobeni, told journalists during a media briefing that the Constitutional Court’s ruling was already consistent with the City’s objectives regarding the Schubart Park complex because the Municipality has already identified the legitimate residents who were initially evacuated and it was prepared to see them having secured and proper housing.
 
He added that the City was committed to restoring their dignity by providing them with proper accommodation, hence its willingness to engage them in meaningful consultation.
 
“It is good news for us to see that the Constitutional Court came to the same conclusion that we were aiming at – that of restoring the dignity of the residents and their occupational rights,” he said.
 
Cllr Ramokgopa said the court ruling will assist the City to achieve its objectives of eradicating criminal elements from Schubart Park, identifying the legitimate residents and implementing its credit control policy.
 
He also explained that the judgment did not say that the residents must immediately return to the building.
 
“Whoever occupies the building before all the directives of the court, such as meaningful consultation, had taken place will be in contempt.
 
It was further ruled by the court that on 30 November 2012, the parties must be back at the Constitutional Court to report on the outcome of the consultation, and furthermore, that on 31 January 2013, the City of Tshwane must avail a report to the Court on the restorationof Schubart Park.