Mayor calls for urgent meeting with Min. Sisulu to discuss Lwandle situation

I have written today to the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, requesting an urgent meeting with representatives of the National Department of Human Settlements, the Western Cape Government and Sanral to discuss the legal and other requirements related to the proposed relocation of those people affected by the recent Lwandle evictions.

I have requested this meeting in the spirit of cooperative governance and with a sincere view to finding an amicable solution to the current situation.

The need for this meeting has been made even more urgent by reports today that people are being bussed to an alternative Sanral-owned land parcel in the Blackheath area. I am informed that this site is in the process of being prepared by Sanral to accommodate those people affected by the Lwandle evictions.

It needs to be stressed that there are a number of statutory processes governed by, amongst others, the Less Formal Township Establishment Act and the National Environmental Management Act,  that need to be complied with before people are simply moved onto a site of this nature. In this particular instance, there would be a need for rezoning approval and for an environmental assessment.

Included within these processes would be the related requirement for some form of public participation.

It must be stressed that the City of Cape Town is ready and willing to assist with the provision of emergency starter kits to assist those affected by the recent evictions,  but we can only do so in the context of the necessary legal and land use approvals. If these processes are ignored, then it is only likely that a new set of problems will be created in relation to this matter and the rights of all those involved will be undermined.

The City remains the only sphere of government that is providing relief to those affected by the evictions, through the provision of shelter at community halls and emergency relief.

I trust that Minister Sisulu will urgently call a meeting of the relevant role players to ensure a proper and sustainable solution to this matter.

Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, June 9 2014

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