The number of shacks in the south of Joburg next to the N1 and N12 keep sprouting daily. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso African News Agency (ANA)
The City of Joburg has attributed its Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme’s (UISP) failures to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A recent report released by the SA Human Rights Commission on the province’s three metros indicated that among its shortcomings, the city failed to submit its draft plan for the programme.
Mayoral spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase defended the city, saying the spending on UISP programmes was adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
“Most affected has been the housing projects given their dependency on community participation and the requirement for Project Steering Committee approval on milestones,” he said.
Ndamase said there had also been other factors such as settlements located on dolomitic sites, servitudes and under pylon lines that required amendments on layout plans before implementation.
“In some instances, settlements are located on private land, making it difficult for the city to implement.
“Previously, the city has displayed notable capacity to spend and deliver on the implementation of UISP projects.”
Ndamase said with the revised level 1 restrictions and conditions making it possible to convene community meetings, the City was accelerating its recovery plans to ensure it delivered on the projects by June.
Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA MEC Lebogang Maile said he would study the report in order to formulate a workable plan for consideration by Gauteng’s Executive Council.
“The report is not only timely, but glaringly reflects our persistent concerns regarding the spending patterns and service delivery records by our municipalities.”
Maile said Gauteng had the highest number of informal settlement concentration as a result of in-migration and economic opportunities.
He said the government would use the report as an instrument to measure its strength and capabilities to meaningfully improve the conditions of communities living in informal settlements and accelerate the provision of basic services.
Maile noted that since 2016, in Gauteng alone, there had been an upsurge of informal settlements in Tshwane and Joburg accompanied by illegal invasions of public and privately-owned land.
Maile committed to featuring the report in his monthly schedules with mayors to turn around the situation and find workable solutions.
“The findings of the report will, more importantly, invoke consciousness among public representatives to put aside their party affiliation in the best interest of our communities. Inevitably, our success and failures will be measured based on our actions post this report.”
He said the Gauteng government would continue to work tirelessly to improve the living conditions of communities in informal settlements and restore their human dignity as enjoined by the Constitution.
The Star
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