The war of words between DA councillor Dave Dewes and ANC Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing Dan Bovu is escalating after Bovu allegedly illegally moved squatters onto the Roodepoort Rugby Club Informal Settlement.
Answering questions by the DA Spokesperson for Housing, Sipho Ndlela in Council on Thursday, Bovu responded to allegations of “ANC land grabs”, saying “When people have the financial means to have illegal occupants evicted, the ANC will never leave them on the street.”
An enraged Dewes accused Bovu of reckless, short sighted administrative action. Dewes said Bovu must realize it is a complex situation.
“Firstly, city owned land cannot be used as inhumane human dumping grounds without in-depth planning. The poorest of the poor need to be humanely accommodated together with accountable management,” said Dewes.
“The ANC has placed themselves in a precarious dilemma because no emergency or temporary accommodation is planned for or available in the whole of Roodepoort. Ablution facilities are grossly inadequate, which impact on a healthy environment. No thought is put into the placing of shacks with regard to fire control and no short term planning or controls are in place to alleviate this dire situation. Further strain is put on the inadequate bulk infrastructure and there is no light at the end of this very dark tunnel. Not only is the ANC dismally failing to control the massive influx of illegal immigrants into our country but they have also not planned for the obvious demand of job seekers from rural areas wanting adequate accommodation,” he continued.
Dewes said he is extremely frustrated as he believes he has a win-win solution.
“Lease or sell this valuable land, in turn creating immediate funds for alternative accommodation and assist the failing economy with desperately needed jobs,” explained Dewes.
Dewes was also adamant that the only resolution will be court action and public protests. He said he will be appealing once again for Roodepoort civil society to “stand up united against irresponsible and thoughtless politicians who have no regard to the implications of their actions”.
Dewes has called an urgent public meeting to be held on 7 April at 7pm at the Florida Library Auditorium.
