Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
26 July 2001
Residents of Atteridgeville, on the west of Pretoria, have expressed support for the Gauteng Provincial Government's plan to tackle the problem of homelessness. More than two thousand residents attended a public meeting last night, which was addressed by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Tshwane Executive Mayor Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa and Members of the Executive Council (MECs).
The meeting is part of the provincial government's Let's Talk campaign launched in 1999 and aimed at facilitating communication between the government and people of Gauteng. In response to recent and ongoing land invasions around the country, most Atteridgeville residents condemned the practice and urged government to take appropriate steps to ensure that no one undermines its integrated plan for the provision of land and housing.
Outlining the position of provincial government on homelessness, Shilowa strongly condemned illegal land invasions. "As provincial government, we will not allow anyone, regardless of political and civic organisation affiliation, to sell land that belong to the government or private institutions." MEC for Housing, Paul Mashatile, also announced the approval of a multi-million rand housing project that would see the building of 4 000 housing units in the adjacent Lotus Garden area. Mashatile stressed that priority would be given to people who appear on the provincial government's waiting list in the allocation of the new houses.
Earlier in the day, the Premier and the MECs, at their fortnightly meeting approved a plan that would see the provision of water and sanitation to all households within Gauteng over the next three years.
For Enquiries Contact:
Thabo Masebe at 082 410 8087
Annette Griessel at 082 563 3614