Residents of Tshwane could in the future be allocated land for free.
This would be serviced stands where people could build homes for themselves instead of relying on the state to supply RDP houses, said Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance, traditional affairs and human settlements Paul Mashatile.
Thousands of people in Gauteng are still on the waiting list for social housing, scores of whom applied as long ago as 1996. Compounding matters for Gauteng is that about 200000 people relocate to the province from other provinces each year, the MEC said.
Mashatile was speaking at an official handover of RDP houses in Nellmapius, east of Tshwane, yesterday. Hundreds of residents turned out for the ceremony.
Lleka Lekalakala, a 95-year-old World War 2 veteran, was one of the recipients. Barely able to hear or talk, Lekalakala flashed smiles of happiness.
Mashatile decried the fact that elderly people have waited too long to get houses. A 107-year-old granny recently died before she could get her house, he said. Vowing to start giving out land, Mashatile said: "There are many people who can build their own houses. All they need is land.
"All they need is connection of water and electricity, connection of sanitation and toilets. Once we do that we'll also give [out] title deeds. We don't only place you on a piece of land, we give you ownership.
"Everywhere I go [people] say 'Mr Mashatile, just give us a piece of land, we'll build houses better than your RDPs'."
Turning to Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga, who sat behind him, Mashatile said: "So let's do that mayor. Identify land, we come [and] approve it as a township and establish it." Mashatile spoke tough against the invasion of completed RDP houses and vacant land.
The houses allocated yesterday in Nellmapius were the scene of violence some days after the August local government elections.
Residents invaded them only to be removed by police and Red Ants security guards.
Mashatile and Msimanga both spoke about plans to supply basic services in informal settlements.
"It's not that when you stay in a shack you're condemned and you're not a human being.
"It's just that the government will take forever to reach all of [you]. So in the meantime, we'll improve the lives of people in the informal settlements," said Mashatile.
To applause from the crowd, Tshwane MMC for housing Mandla Nkomo vowed to clamp down on corruption in allocation of social houses.
"It's enough. No more people will jump the queue," Nkomo said.
MEC promises free land - 'People can build their own homes'
Residents of Tshwane could in the future be allocated land for free.
This would be serviced stands where people could build homes for themselves instead of relying on the state to supply RDP houses, said Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance, traditional affairs and human settlements Paul Mashatile.
Thousands of people in Gauteng are still on the waiting list for social housing, scores of whom applied as long ago as 1996. Compounding matters for Gauteng is that about 200000 people relocate to the province from other provinces each year, the MEC said.
Mashatile was speaking at an official handover of RDP houses in Nellmapius, east of Tshwane, yesterday. Hundreds of residents turned out for the ceremony.
Lleka Lekalakala, a 95-year-old World War 2 veteran, was one of the recipients. Barely able to hear or talk, Lekalakala flashed smiles of happiness.
Mashatile decried the fact that elderly people have waited too long to get houses. A 107-year-old granny recently died before she could get her house, he said. Vowing to start giving out land, Mashatile said: "There are many people who can build their own houses. All they need is land.
"All they need is connection of water and electricity, connection of sanitation and toilets. Once we do that we'll also give [out] title deeds. We don't only place you on a piece of land, we give you ownership.
"Everywhere I go [people] say 'Mr Mashatile, just give us a piece of land, we'll build houses better than your RDPs'."
Turning to Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga, who sat behind him, Mashatile said: "So let's do that mayor. Identify land, we come [and] approve it as a township and establish it." Mashatile spoke tough against the invasion of completed RDP houses and vacant land.
The houses allocated yesterday in Nellmapius were the scene of violence some days after the August local government elections.
Residents invaded them only to be removed by police and Red Ants security guards.
Mashatile and Msimanga both spoke about plans to supply basic services in informal settlements.
"It's not that when you stay in a shack you're condemned and you're not a human being.
"It's just that the government will take forever to reach all of [you]. So in the meantime, we'll improve the lives of people in the informal settlements," said Mashatile.
To applause from the crowd, Tshwane MMC for housing Mandla Nkomo vowed to clamp down on corruption in allocation of social houses.
"It's enough. No more people will jump the queue," Nkomo said.
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