Planned shutdown should not infringe on rights of others

Western Cape Human Settlements Minister, Tertuis Simmers says the proposed “shutdown” by certain Cape Town communities should not infringe on the rights of others, particularly those who might need to get to work, school, health facilities or any other engagements.

Reports suggest that communities such as Parkwood, Factreton, Kensington, Ocean View, Mamre and Paarl are planning protest action on Thursday, 8 August 2019 from 5-11am.

Minister Simmers said: “Every citizen has the right to peaceful protests, but it should be done within the ambit of the law and not interfere with the rights of others.

I’d like to encourage residents to address concerns through their Ward Councillors, as these are the representatives which they have elected to assist them. Next week, I will be meeting with the leadership of the greater Retreat sub-council to discuss the Greater Retreat Housing Project. Pursuant to this meeting, we will engage the beneficiaries of this project.

Residents are reminded that they must ensure they are registered on the housing database and should their details, like a cellphone number have changed since registration, they need to update their information on the database.”

We have strategically focused our resources to three priority areas:

1. Directing more resources for the Upgrading of Informal Settlements and the provision of basic services;
2. Increasing Affordable/GAP Housing, through our social housing and Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) and
3. Prioritising the most deserving people in relation to the allocation of free Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses.

We have also prioritised - and use the following criteria:

• The elderly,
• People with disabilities
• Child-headed households
• Those who have been the longest on the waiting list
• And our backyard dwellers

Said Simmers: “Backyard dwellers should know that I’ve heard their pleas and it is for this reason that at the end of June 2019, I issued an executive directive to all Municipalities in the province, to include backyarders in their housing allocation criteria.

This means, whenever we identify beneficiaries from the housing waiting lists, backyarders must be prioritised, as we will work on a 50/50 split within the other criteria. It is important that Backyard dwellers are registered on the housing database.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.”