Minister Simmers to engage SAHRC, community leaders and municipality in Bitou

On Sunday, 6 October 2019, Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers will engage the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the leadership of the New Horizon and Qolweni communities and representatives of the Bitou Municipality.

Pursuant to Minister Simmers’ engagement with the municipality and community leaders, various misrepresentations were made by the Bitou Executive Mayor to the SAHRC and broader community. To address this, the SAHRC requested further engagement with all entities, to which Minister Simmers agreed. 

Minister Simmers said: “I’m looking forward to this meeting, so that precise facts can be placed on record and to dispel all inaccuracies that are currently being promoted in the public arena. The human settlements portfolio is a concurrent function, provincially and it is vital that prolific intergovernmental relations between province and local authorities exist, so that our people can optimally benefit. As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to improving the lives of our residents.”

There will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.