Update
GEORGE NEWS UPDATE - A feedback meeting which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 1 August at 12:00 between the Executive Mayor of George, Melvin Naik, and residents of Zone 8 in Thembalethu, has been postponed until further notice.
The meeting was scheduled at the Thembalethu Community Hall, but when only a few individuals turned up, Aviwe Mbangu, Zone 8 residents' representative, asked for a postponement.
The meeting follows the riots that took place in Thembalethu last month, which left two municipal vehicles destroyed and other infrastructure damaged. Seven people were arrested following the unrest.
Naik arrived accompanied by a number of municipal delegates including Municipal Manager, Trevor Botha.
Naik said the meeting had been scheduled on 19 July when they first met with the Zone 8 delegation to address a number of issues, including housing. He said pamphlets were distributed and that the delegation was also fully informed. But, Mbangu maintained that they couldn't take decisions on behalf of the absent residents - particularly those affected by the housing problem.
The George municipal delegation included, from left: Director: Human Settlements, Land Affairs and Planning Steven Erasmus; Mayor Melvin Naik; Deputy Mayor Gerrit Pretorius and Municipal Manager Trevor Botha.
"Midday is not a convenient time for people to meet as some are still at work. We need to be given enough time to properly call people to attend the next meeting," said Mbangu.
Naik repeated that the structures in Zone 8 have been built in a dangerous area not suitable for human habitation. "One of the challenges we face in that area is that structures have been erected on land that is earmarked for development of a new housing project.
Presently the land is dangerous as it is prone to flooding. [Once the area has been prepared for building and provided with services, this should not present a danger any more.] Others have built at an All Bricks quarry site, which is dangerous," said Naik.
He said the Department of Human Settlements has begun talks with the provincial government to find alternative land for relocation. "We must give the department a chance to find a solution to this matter. We need to work as a collective to ensure that people don't continue to build structures on that land. It is dangerous and if people continue to build there, we won't be able to accommodate everybody."
Read a previous article: Riots: Feedback meeting postponed
ARTICLE & PHOTOS: ZOLANI SINXO, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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