Dumisani Zulu
Right To Reply
Since the beginning of the Alexandra relocation process in February more than 6000 households have been successfully moved from the banks of the Jukskei river.
This comprises 4501 households to Diepsloot, 1032 households to temporary base (Ext 7), 448 households to Bramfischerville and 1617 structures that were vacated before the arrival of the relocation team, which indicates that the occupants of those structures were illegal. Most of these households understand and appreciate the long-term benefits of the process.
These figures point to the stark reality that the government is faced with in its mission of providing a better life for all. Prior to intervention, these households were condemned to squalor by the previous regime with no chance for change. It was almost like saying: “Let them suffocate and die for they are subhuman.” How- ever, this government could not stand by and be party to the systematic destruction of these families as a result of racial policies, which allotted prime space to the privileged minority group at the expense of the majority.
Before delving deeper into this matter, let us cast our minds back to what was once a repulsive sight on the banks of the Jukskei river. More than 6000 households were crammed on to a small patch of land. The congestion there was not only posing a danger to the health of the illegal residents but also to the environment; the river was highly contaminated. Above all, the families were living under constant threat of fires, floods and deadly diseases. The floods in particular became a source of misery to the inhabitants and a financial drain on the government.
All the households that have been relocated were within the 1:100 floodline. This means their shacks or illegal houses were built in an area susceptible to floods. Moreover, the local government never authorised these buildings.
The prevailing conditions in time bred a culture of free for all. Illegal connections to basic utilities, such as water and electricity, became the norm. The invasion of land by these people created a false sense of permanent residence because it became almost impossible to enforce rules and bylaws enacted by authorities.
In light of this, are we saying the government should stand on the sidelines and watch the situation deteriorate? Surely if the government adopts that attitude it will not be spared the wrath and disparaging howls of the same self-anointed preachers and protagonists of the “cause”. If the protection and promotion of the interests of the poor is what motivates the latter day heroes, one hopes they will join forces with the government in changing the appaling conditions in Alexandra.
This is exactly what the Alexandra Renewal Project is all about. It is born out of a pressing need to build sustainable communities and focuses on the dedensification of Alexandra, the restoration and maintenance of order, the creation of a clean and healthy environment and the reduction of unemployment and crime.
Alexandra, let me remind you, was meant to accommodate not more than 70 000 people, but today it is estimated that no less than 350 000 people reside there.
So far the project has been able to provide people with security of tenure and houses, particularly those moved to Bramfischerville and Diepsloot. Those relocated to Diepsloot have each been allocated a piece of land with schools and other amenities provided. Bramfischerville’s new residents are the proud owners of houses for the first time in their lives. Is this not an improvement in the quality of life of our people? Clearly, the government intervention strategy in Alexandra is succeeding where the previous regime failed. So now will you continue to profess that apartheid was better than this? Did apartheid dispensation ask people to apply and register for the government housing subsidy scheme? Did it provide them with security of tenure?
This brings me to the much-publicised case of Henrietta Mqokomisa although it is not in the interest of the government and the public to select one case and make it look exceptional when there are hundreds of similar cases of people who were moved and now are the proud owners of legal houses.
The fact that Mqokomisa had electricity, a brick house and resided in Jukskei river settlements for more than 10 years does not mean that her property was legal. Many shacks and brick houses that were demolished, about 3000 of them, had either legal or illegal connections of water and electricity and had been there for more than 10 years; that did not preclude them from the process of dedensification of Alexandra.
The reasons for the relocation of Mqokomisa are not different from those applied to thousands of other people. In a nutshell, they are: the house was built within 1:100 floodline and was therefore vulnerable to floods; the local council did not authorise the building of the house; and the owner did not apply and/or qualify for the government subsidy scheme, hence relocation to Diepsloot.
In terms of the procedure all properties that are either illegal or within the 1:100 floodline are marked with a yellow “X”. This sign is conspicuous in the picture of Mqokomisa’s house used by the media.
While the government strives to minimise disruption to the lives of people affected by relocation, it is not so naive as to expect that everyone will support the Alexandra Renewal Project and its concomitant benefits. What we know is that the majority of Alexandra’s residents appreciate the efforts of the government to turn their area into one of the modern towns in Gauteng. In addition, the restoration of proper land-use controls and the removal of illegal structures are widely supported by the legal owners of properties in Alexandra.
Lastly, what is also a cause for concern is the blatant disregard for the noble canon of journalism in an article written by Chris McGreal (“Apartheid was better than this”, June 22 to 28). He chose to run with one side of the story without soliciting the perspective of the government on this matter. I only hope that in future when it comes to matters of public interest the government will be afforded an equal opportunity to state its case in time.
Dumisani Zulu is head of communications of the Gauteng housing department