PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Following the recent riots in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Tertuis Simmers met with the disgruntled Qolweni community over their housing issues, after what he called "misleading" information was disseminated.

Simmers met with the Qolweni community leader- ship on Thursday 15 October in the wake of the unrest that saw residents who are unhappy with the progress of the housing project, close a stretch of the N2 between the Shell garage and Kwanokuthula for a five-day period, which ended on Monday 12 October.

'Rumours'
Simmers said some of the main "rumours" that led to unhappiness were that his department had reduced the budget for the project and that allocated money had been moved from one project to another. 

"This is simply not true," he said.

The minister stated that the R25-million budgeted for the construction of 169 units for the Qolweni community has not changed. Of this, he said, R12,4-million has been allocated for construction of the first phase of the project - which includes the construction of 85 of the 169 units and should be completed by 31 March next year. 

"This is in line with the evaluation report submitted by the municipality and it still stands," Simmers added.

A further R6-million was allocated to construct a transit area for beneficiaries while they await the completion of the project, which Simmers said was completed on 30 September. 

He ascribed the delay in electrifying these units to the recent unrest and requested the community to, instead of closing the N2 whenever they have concerns, rather use public meeting platforms to raise their issues.

Simmers said his department offered Bitou Municipality assistance in implementing the project. "Certain aspects of the project are beyond my reach and are the responsibility of the municipality (bulk services and electrification), and I need to respect that. 

"Should the Bitou Municipality not be in a position to ensure the completion of these units by the end of March 2021, they should immediately inform my officials, so that technical assistance can be provided."

Warning
The minister also sent out a stern warning to the Qolweni community.

"I am aware that there are people within your community playing petty politics and don't want to see this project implemented. You will not use my department and its resources to play petty politics. Don't play with people's lives. Some people have been waiting for houses for 30 years. Let's stop what's happening and not let them wait any longer."

Bitou Municipality said that Simmers has "vindicated" the municipality. "The fact that the MEC and the head of department, Ms Phila Mayisela, both confirmed that the project is on track, has been noted. They confirmed that the contractor had been appointed on 9 October 2020 and it is currently within the 21-day objection period," said Deputy Mayor Sandiso Gcabayi.

Gcabayi, however, felt that Simmers' visit was organised in a manner that showed neglect of the intergovernmental relations framework. "The Bitou Municipality was largely disregarded in the planning and organisation of the meeting," he said. 

But according to Simmers, the municipality was informed of his visit, which was on invitation from the community.

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