Makhanda residents who are at loggerheads with the Makana Municipality over a piece of vacant land pictured during a heated meeting at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday. Photo: Luvuyo Mjekula
By Luvuyo Mjekula
Hopes to end a potentially damaging dispute between Makana Municipality and a group of “landless” residents were dashed yesterday (Thursday).
This after the residents, who invaded municipal land last month, rejected an offer that included vacant sites in a Joza informal settlement.
It was hoped the matter would be resolved at a public meeting at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre.
However, there was no consensus and the residents left the venue resolute in their mission to start their Mpolweni Squatter Camp on the commonage near the R67, known as eGalfini.
This despite the municipality publicly declaring the area unsuitable for housing development.
Makana acting mayor Andile Hoyi addressing residents at the Indoor Sports Centre meeting on Thursday. Photo: Luvuyo Mjekula
Led by councillor Andile Hoyi who acted as mayor in the absence of Yandiswa Vara, a Makana delegation presented to the residents a report based on resolutions taken at a special council meeting on Monday.
The report entailed the following:
The municipality acknowledges the long housing backlog in Makana
Council maintains the eGalfini land is not suitable for housing development
About 1, 000 vacant sites in Khayelitsha, Joza, can accommodate some of the residents
Council is willing to provide people with land to build houses on
The Mayfield Phase 2 (Extension 10) list of beneficiaries must be made public
Municipality to screen people to ensure deserving residents benefit from government housing
A multi-disciplinary committee needs to be set up to lead the process
A housing indaba to deal with housing challenges must be convened by mayor Yandiswa Vara
Residents react to alternative land
The vocal residents turned down the municipality’s offer, singing: “We are going to Mpolweni.”
“Landless” residents reacting to a Makana Municipality report on land at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre. Photo: Luvuyo Mjekula
“We don’t accept the report you have presented to us,” residents’ leader Vuyokazi Buwa told the municipal delegation. She said Khayelitsha would not work for them because it would feel like they were living in Fort Beaufort. “We do not want any place other than that land we chose. We voted for you but you are letting us down,” Buwa asserted.
A resident reminded the delegation of Vara’s statement on 27 July that people who needed houses were 7, 500. “You are giving us land that will be enough for approximately 1, 000. What will happen to the rest of the people?”
The residents reiterated their struggles to find houses, leading to much pain and suffering.
Matyumza noted that the residents had rejected the municipality’s report. “So, the majority of the people in this meeting do not accept the council’s resolutions,” he said before closing the meeting.
Background
On Sunday, 27 July, scores of community members invaded the piece of land identified by the municipality as Eastern commonage Erf 8761 and started demarcating sites with sticks and string.
Makhanda residents occupy vacant land in Joza late last month. Photo: Luvuyo Mjekula
The municipality swiftly brought in law enforcement and Public Order Police chased the residents off the land. Makana leaders followed that up with a court interdict and opened a land invasion case.
Violent clashes between residents and the police erupted, bringing Joza to a standstill.
At a subsequent public meeting, where residents poured out their housing frustrations, Makana mayor Yandiswa Vara asked for 14 days to consult with council and return to the residents with answers.
A special council meeting was held at the City Hall on Monday and councillors put together a package to present to the residents.
On Tuesday, Vara, Matyumza and other councillors sought to convene a feedback meeting at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre, but were left high and dry as the residents boycotted it, citing bad timing and broken promises.
