Riebeek-Wes crisis committee deny locals to receive information about housing | Western Cape Government

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Riebeek-Wes crisis committee deny locals to receive information about housing

11 December 2019

Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers says he is deeply concerned about the Riebeek-Wes Crisis Committee’s (RWCC) antics, when they interrupted a community meeting about housing in the area.

Last night, Minister Simmers went into the area to address various housing concerns raised by the RWCC. Among these concerns were:

  1. Certain residents should not have benefitted from the recently completed housing project.
  2. The quality of houses that were constructed do not meet the basic standards.

Minister Simmers said: “Pursuant to orally receiving this information from the RWCC during a meeting in August, I requested that they submit the content via email. This email, we received on 5 November 2019. An investigation into their claims was launched and upon receiving feedback from my officials, I requested that a public meeting be held to personally inform the broader community of the outcomes.

I can confirm that all residents who benefitted from the Riebeek-Wes development met all the criteria and are fully deserving of the opportunity they received. The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) confirmed that none of the houses had any defects.

Regrettably, through constant interruptions and intimidating the broader community in the community hall, the few RWCC members, denied us the opportunity to share these facts with those present. We cannot legitimise a body that states they are community representatives, yet denies the very community the opportunity to hear the truth. We can also not allow this body to hijack official inter-governmental (inclusive of provincial and local authorities)-public meetings.

The RWCC’s actions raise questions about what their intent is, and if they genuinely have the best interest of the community at heart.

It must be noted that the broader community wanted to hear what I had to share.

Since taking office at the end of May, I’ve consistently stated that I am willing to engage all communities and community leaders, however those whose only purpose is to intimidate and divide communities, while also creating chaos, are only demonstrating the opposite of what they claim to stand for.

I do foresee returning to the community in the new year, as they deserve to hear the full truth of the challenges highlighted. In the meanwhile, I will forward the report to the municipality so that they can disseminate the information in the area.

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.”

Media Enquiries: 

Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 3397
Mobile: 082 721 3362
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za