Vusi Ndlovu

Vusi Ndlovu

Hostel residents and housing authorities have smoked the peace pipe.

The soured relations between the two were mended at the meeting last week.

Authorities, who included Gauteng Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane, representatives from the City of Johannesburg, provincial and local government, and hostel dwellers, mapped the way forward. Government officials committed themselves to improving the quality of life in the hostels.

An IFP member of parliament Bonginkosi Dlamini, who represented hostel dwellers from Johannesburg, Alexandra and Soweto, said yesterday they were happy with the new developments.

Hostel dwellers from these areas recently embarked on the marches that turned violent and resulted in several arrests.

Department of housing spokesman Mongezi Mnyani said they had committed R84million to refurbish hostels that included Diepkloof, Meadowlands, Dube and Orlando West.

Mnyani said the first phase of the upgrading would start in October and be completed by April next year.