Public Protector must probe claims of ANC’s homes-for-votes scandal
26 July 2016
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu Natal has today written to the office of the Public Protector requesting a full investigation into ANC councillors from Newcastle allegedly evicting people from their homes. We have also written to KZN Human Settlement MEC, Ravi Pillay, demanding that he intervene in what has become an intolerable situation caused by his broken promises and lies.
The move follows numerous complaints by residents to the DA.
The situation has become so dire that one particular woman is fearing for her life and has been forced to apply for a protection order. The woman, who has requested to remain anonymous out of fear for her safety, claims that two days before the 2014 National and Provincial Elections, KZN Human Settlement MEC, Ravi Pillay promised residents that they would soon receive their title deeds. It is now more than two years later and this promise has failed to materialise, despite the DA’s ongoing appeals.
It is precisely because of the MEC and his department’s inaction and broken promises that ANC councillors are now simply destroying lives on a whim, evicting residents unfairly, illegally and without reason. These ongoing claims made against ANC councillors, now labelled by the community as little more than slumlords, is very concerning. Their alleged actions have no place in our society. This type of thuggery and holding people to ransom for their votes has to end.
Adequate housing solutions, which provide individuals and families with a safe living environment, are critical when it comes to reducing inequality and addressing poverty.
Where we govern, we empower residents by giving them legal ownership of their homes and a valuable economic asset. The City of Cape Town transfers more title deeds than any other metro in South Africa. The people of KZN have the opportunity to vote for this change on 3 August. Change underpinned by our values of freedom, fairness and opportunity.
Issued by Hlanganani Gumbi, DA KZN Spokesperson on Human Settlement, 26 July 2016
