This statement follows our oversight inspection of the Jika Joe informal settlements in Masukwane, Pietermaritzburg, by DA Shadow Minister of Human Settlements, Solly Malatsi MP and DA KZN Spokesperson on Human Settlements, George Mari MPL.
Please find soundbites in English and Sepedi by Mr Malatsi. View pictures here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Today, I was joined by my colleague DA KZN Spokesperson on Human Settlements, George Mari MPL, on an oversight inspection of the Jika Joe informal settlements in Pietermaritzburg, after residents lost their homes and all their belongings in a fire.
From the many oversight inspections the DA has done across the country, it has become clear that the ANC government is out of touch with the people and that they are better at breaking promises than delivering quality housing and basic services. The same truth was clear at the Jika Joe settlement today.
When the DA arrived, it was immediately clear that the makeshift tents that the residents are currently living in, are not fit or dignified. No human being deserves to live in those tents, whether temporarily or not.
It was clear throughout the oversight visit that the Msunduzi municipality is in failing in its Constitutional duty to provide basic free services to the residents of Jika Joe informal settlement. The municipality’s failure to remove refuse in the area or to do any general maintenance has left the area looking like a massive dumping site full of waste and filth.
One can only conclude that the ANC-led Msunduzi municipality’s failure to do its job of providing basic services to the residents is political punishment for the DA winning the ward in the 2016 municipal elections. It is a shameful act of abuse of political power to deny residents basic services because they exercised their democratic right to vote for a party of their choice.
The DA will request that the Msunduzi local government urgently present and detailed plan on the long-term solutions to address the current undignified living conditions, including:
- If residents will be moved to an alternative and suitable site;
- Whether there has been any consultation with the people most affected;
- If there are any plans in place to provide dignified housing for the residents;
- What is the time frame for when the housing be ready.
For too long, the ANC’s corruption has stolen from the people of South Africa. The time for excuses and broken promises is over.
The DA is committed to being a responsive national government that works hard to make life better for all South Africans. The DA believes that our people should know the dignity of owning their own home which has basic services like water, electricity and sanitation they deserve.