Councillors speak out on Princess protests

DA Councillors Gert Niemand (Ward 71) and Carl Mann (Ward 85) who shares the Princess informal settlement, have released a joint statement on the current violent protests surrounding Princess informal settlement.

Speaking on behalf of himself and Niemand, Mann had the following to say.

“Once again due to the inability of the ANC government to deliver yet another housing project, violent protests have broken out in Princess informal settlement in Roodepoort.

“As ward councillors we have been sidelined and ignored by the Housing officials for years. The City of Johanesburg consistently fail to attend community meetings and communicate properly with the people of Princess.

“We empathise with the residents but are completely against all rioting and damage caused to public property, as ultimately it achieves nothing. We can understand the frustration, but let us remember who promised the houses and who is responsible for the delivery of houses, not the DA, or the councillors, but the ANC government,” said Mann.

“We as councillors have fought for housing, toilets, water, refuse removal, better roads, jobs and community safety to name a few, but the government just turn a blind eye until frustration escalates into civil unrest and then more empty promises are made to the residents by the ANC government once again. When will this end? How many people have to get hurt and how many things need to burn before the government will act?” asked Mann.

“The protest action is escalating into more criminal activities such as the burning of public transportation and property. The DA therefore calls on the South African Police Service to maintain law and order and make arrests where necessary,” Mann concluded.

Mann and Niemand ask the public to direct all complaints to MMC Dan Bovu (MMC for Housing) on 082 972 4244 or email him at danb@joburg.org.za.

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