KwaZulu Natal, North West Study Tour Report: adoption

Meeting report

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
12 JUNE 2002
ADOPTION OF KWA ZULU NATAL NORTH WEST STUDY TOUR REPORT

Chairperson: Ms Z. A. Kota (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Committee Report [e-mail [email protected] for Report]

SUMMARY
All Members agreed on the two study reports and both reports were adopted.

The issue of squatters who have built their houses on an old Defence Force training ground in Ateridgeville, Gauteng Province was raised by Mr Montsitsi. It was then decided that a letter should be written to the Mayor, Simangaliso Mkhatshwa, Minister of Housing and to the MEC, recommending the reallocation of squatters away from the disaster or danger area, as they put it, to an alternative land.

MINUTES
The Chairperson, Ms Z. A. Kota (ANC) opened the meeting by stating that the Committee has already dealt with the KwaZulu Natal report page by page and now there seems to be no need to go all over it again. It was time to adopt the report. She asked if there were any additions and there were none. She then proposed the adoption of the report.

Mr BM Dhlamini (IFP) seconded the adoption of the report.

The Chairperson proceeded by mentioning that the North West report draft was also dealt with page by page. There were no additions proposed by Members. She then raised the issue of the incorporation of bathrooms with showers. She said the Minister confirmed that bathrooms with enough space for showers should be installed on the houses as it is provided as such on the housing subsidies. She said this issue must be emphasised. She asked if there were any suggestions and there were none. She proposed the adoption of this report. The report was adopted.

Mr Dhlamini (IFP) suggested that the Committee should write a letter to the MEC as a follow up on the issue of Kanana Hostels.

Ms Kota agreed and said that the letter will be written this week, as the issue of Kanana Hostels is urgent. The Committee would have to look at the relevant legislation because the Bill was amended by the Department and should be brought before the Committee so that the Committee may know its nature. She then mentioned that there is also a Bill which is published in the Government Gazette. She suggested that Members look at that Bill and familiarise themselves with it before it comes before the Committee, so that Members should know exactly what they are dealing with. She said the Indonesia Trip scheduled for 7 until 14 of July is awaiting a go ahead from Chief director. She would find out when the trip is taking place so that Members and delegates from various parties should find enough time to prepare themselves for the trip. She mentioned that each party knows who to fit in the delegation. She then asked if there was anything else.

Mr G D Schoeman mentioned that he came across a publication called Housing Africa and suggested that Members should familiarise themselves with it. He also mentioned that Ms Sappling provided some input in it. He asked what is the role of the Committee on the oncoming Conference and whether members can attend the Conference on their own capacity.

Ms Kota (Chairperson) replied that this needs to be verified and she suggested that the Committee should lobby for various parties so that everybody could have equal chance to part take at the conference. She then said members should look at the Committee programme and suggest what should be dealt with next. She said that is the home work members. She said there is the Cape Town and Johannesburg issues.

Mr S. D. Montsitsi (ANC) said it is important for the Committee to look into the issue of floods of 2000 in the Eastern Cape. He said certain committees raised the issue in Limpopo of material dumped on sites and nothing had happened since, the Committee should make sure how far that work has gone.

MS Kota replied that the Committee can only write a letter to the Minister of local government, because that is not the duty of the Committee.

Ms G. M. Borman (DP) agreed.

Ms Kota mentioned that the Housing Code is available and Anna Marie (Secretary) is going to make a copy and binding. Members need to buy their own copies.

Mr Schoemann (ANC) asked why should Committee members be requested to purchase the Housing Code, surely it should made freely available to this Committee.

Ms Kota replied that she is going to take it up with the Minister.

Mr Dhlamini suggested that the Committee need to revisit the Redevelopment of hostel programme to see what are underlying problems.

Ms Kota suggested that there should be a Committee Workshop with the Department, the question is who is going to convene this workshop. She said that some of the hostels need not be redeveloped they should be demolished. She said the issue needs a thorough decision.

Mr Montsitsi mentioned that there is a place in Atridgeville, Gauteng Province where people are sitting on a time bomb, the place was once a Defence Force Training ground and now its an informal settlement. The people cannot be removed easily as Eskom has installed electricity and transport is very convenient.

Ms Kota asked who is the mayor of the area.

Mr Mabena (ANC) replied that it is father Simangaliso Mkhatshwa.

Ms Kota suggested a delegation to visit the area in co-operation with a Defence delegation and the issue should be discussed with the MEC.

Mr Mabena replied that it would be easier for Gauteng to deal with the matter.

Ms Borman also agreed and said it is a provincial matter.

Mr Montsitsi mentioned that Mr Mabena has already compiled a report and should be allowed to complete his report on the matter.

Ms Kota replied that the Gauteng Committee should continue with the report. The Committee will write a letter to the Mayor and to the MEC, and voice its concern and register that area as a disaster or danger area. No delegation will be sent and a copy of the letter will also be sent to the Minister of Housing and set the matter to rest.

Mr Montsitsi mentioned that the Metropole has mentioned that there is a shortage of land for the relocation of these people.

Ms Kota replied that if the place is identified as a disaster area or danger area the matter will be dealt with urgently and land will be provided for the relocation of these people, but if it is put as a housing problem there will be no land. She said the solution is to identify the place as a disaster area and an emergency.

The meeting was adjourned.