The Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, joined Gauteng MEC, Paul Mashatile, and other dignitaries from provincial departments during a housing handover ceremony at KT Motubatse Hall in Soshanguve at the weekend.
This was met with undue disruption by quarters of the community led by ANC members who were clearly still bitter about their electoral defeat. What is truly disappointing is that this was done in an attempt to disrupt the handover of much-needed housing and title deeds for the people of Tshwane who desperately need it. In any event we were able to make progress on our mandate to handover title deeds and houses to eligible members of the community who have been waiting for this for some time.
Despite attempts to disrupt Msimanga and Mashatile nevertheless proceeded with the handover of houses and title deeds to deserving Soshanguve residents. A total of 6 000 title deeds are ready and will be conferred to beneficiaries over the coming weeks.
Just last Saturday [25 February] Msimanga and Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing and Human Settlements, Councillor Mandla Nkomo, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, issued 600 title deeds to rightful beneficiaries who have been allocated low cost houses in Soshanguve Extension 12 and 13.
The City of Tshwane is working with the provincial government to ensure that a range of housing opportunities are available for different income levels and speeding up the delivery of title deeds to state-subsidised housing so that recipients have legal ownership of their homes.
Msimanga said to the beneficiaries ”The value of your house cannot be measured in commercial terms. The best advice to you would be not to sell your house, as this could have an adverse effect on your family, especially your children. Please get advice and think carefully before losing your standing as a homeowner”.
Nkomo reminded residents to pay for their services “You are obliged to pay the Tshwane Municipality for basic services like water and electricity and other services and facilities provided in your area. Remember, the continued supply of these services requires regular payment. Although the Tshwane Municipality provides you with a certain amount of free basic water and electricity, the amount you pay for these services varies according to your usage”.
Soshanguve Extension 12 was established in 2001 after its residents were relocated from dilapidated buildings in Edmond Street, De Villiers Hoff, various areas around Gezina, Pretoria North Station and Pretoria North under the bridge.
Soshanguve Extension 13 was established in 2008 with its occupants sourced from the national demand database register for housing subsidy. After receiving approval on their applications, the City allocated them low cost houses in that area.
Projects currently being implemented include construction of tarred roads in Soshanguve Extensions 12 and 13 where the community will enjoy dust free streets. The main road is currently being tarred in Ext 13 and a total of 3,5kms will be completed by the end the year, with the remaining 3,5km to be completed in the new financial year. Internal streets of 3km distance are being tarred in both extensions and the remainder of 17km will completed in the next 2 financial years. A total of R46 million has been approved for this work in this financial year.
Under the DA-led government, Tshwane will continue to champion equitable and fair access to a range of housing solutions to deserving individuals.