Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
Mayor calls for urgent meeting with Min. Sisulu to discuss Lwandle
situation
I have written today to the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu,
requesting an urgent meeting with representatives of the National
Department of Human Settlements, the Western Cape Government and
Sanral to discuss the legal and other requirements related to the proposed
relocation of those people affected by the recent Lwandle evictions.
I have requested this meeting in the spirit of cooperative governance and
with a sincere view to finding an amicable solution to the current situation.
The need for this meeting has been made even more urgent by reports today
that people are being bussed to an alternative Sanral-owned land parcel in
the Blackheath area. I am informed that this site is in the process of being
prepared by Sanral to accommodate those people affected by the Lwandle
evictions.
It needs to be stressed that there are a number of statutory processes
governed by, amongst others, the Less Formal Township Establishment Act
and the National Environmental Management Act, that need to be
complied with before people are simply moved onto a site of this nature. In
this particular instance, there would be a need for rezoning approval and for
an environmental assessment.
Included within these processes would be the related requirement for some
form of public participation.
It must be stressed that the City of Cape Town is ready and willing to assist
with the provision of emergency starter kits to assist those affected by the
recent evictions, but we can only do so in the context of the necessary legal
and land use approvals. If these processes are ignored, then it is only likely
that a new set of problems will be created in relation to this matter and the
rights of all those involved will be undermined.
The City remains the only sphere of government that is providing relief to
those affected by the evictions, through the provision of shelter at community
halls and emergency relief.
I trust that Minister Sisulu will urgently call a meeting of the relevant role
players to ensure a proper and sustainable solution to this matter.