Divisions among residents of Finetown, south of Johannesburg deepened yesterday when residents from an informal settlement in the area barred their neighbours from attending a public meeting with government officials.
City of Johannesburg member of mayoral committee for housing Dan Bovu was in the area to address residents following the torching of a clinic last week.
Residents from other areas around Finetown blamed informal settlement dwellers of torching the clinic and attempting to burn a local power station.
Yesterday both parties claimed that they separately invited Bovu to address their issues.
“We called Bovu and they did not. If they want Bovu, they must call him to their area. They always kick us out of their meetings,” said Phiri.
Finetown community leader Enerst Dlamini said all residents of Finetown were entitled to attend the meeting.
“We are one community. I am a member of this community and have a right to attend this meeting. It is only a rumour that we are attacking them at night. We do not attack them, we are only patrolling to protect government properties from being attacked.
“They want to continue destroying when we want development. We will continue guarding after schools and the sub-station,” he promised.
Bovu later informed the crowd that there were studies conducted to establish if the area was suitable for infrastructure and electricity.
Bovu said there are things that hindered the building of houses in Finetown North.
“We are here to engage about the future of this place. But, there are some restrictions. “We need to complete studies about this place. If the studies say houses cannot be built here why should we continue wasting tax payers' money.”
He said they have found a piece of land in Ennerdale Extension 6 and 9 which falls under their ward which can be better suited for infrastructure.
Bovu said for there was no problem and it was their choice if some residents did not want to relocate to the new land.
He promised to continuously engage with them for a permanent solution and Finetown North and Meriting were their key targets for future developments.
ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
Finetown residence in a stand-off over torched clinic
Divisions among residents of Finetown, south of Johannesburg deepened yesterday when residents from an informal settlement in the area barred their neighbours from attending a public meeting with government officials.
City of Johannesburg member of mayoral committee for housing Dan Bovu was in the area to address residents following the torching of a clinic last week.
Residents from other areas around Finetown blamed informal settlement dwellers of torching the clinic and attempting to burn a local power station.
Yesterday both parties claimed that they separately invited Bovu to address their issues.
“We called Bovu and they did not. If they want Bovu, they must call him to their area. They always kick us out of their meetings,” said Phiri.
Finetown community leader Enerst Dlamini said all residents of Finetown were entitled to attend the meeting.
“We are one community. I am a member of this community and have a right to attend this meeting. It is only a rumour that we are attacking them at night. We do not attack them, we are only patrolling to protect government properties from being attacked.
“They want to continue destroying when we want development. We will continue guarding after schools and the sub-station,” he promised.
Bovu later informed the crowd that there were studies conducted to establish if the area was suitable for infrastructure and electricity.
Bovu said there are things that hindered the building of houses in Finetown North.
“We are here to engage about the future of this place. But, there are some restrictions. “We need to complete studies about this place. If the studies say houses cannot be built here why should we continue wasting tax payers' money.”
He said they have found a piece of land in Ennerdale Extension 6 and 9 which falls under their ward which can be better suited for infrastructure.
Bovu said for there was no problem and it was their choice if some residents did not want to relocate to the new land.
He promised to continuously engage with them for a permanent solution and Finetown North and Meriting were their key targets for future developments.
ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
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