War on Petitions to be tackled on 20 August 2021

1. Housing    Incorrect issue of Title deed: Meyerton, Sedibeng

The petitioner is Mrs. Gloria Nhlapo, an adult female residing at 113 Rooibok Street, Highbury, Meyerton, on behalf of Mrs. Sophie Moeketsi.

The petitioner alleges that Mrs. Sophie Moeketsi was issued with a title deed of land that she does not own.

She also alleges that they informed the Midvaal Local Municipality about the incorrect issue of the title deed but it was not reversed.

The petition was referred to Midvaal Municipality for investigation and reporting, and to the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA and Human Settlements and the Department of CoGTA for oversight on the 19th February 2016.

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2. By laws     Encroachment: Sebokeng

The petitioner is Ms Elizabeth Mmako, an adult female who resides at 1112 Zone 6, Ext.02, Residensia. The petitioner alleges that her neighbour alleges that she encroached parts of her stand by installing a gate. She also alleges that she was instructed by the Municipality to remove the gate to the other side but she is unable to do that as there is an electricity and water box on that side. She further alleges that she informed the municipality about the matter and was told that she must arrange with Eskom to remove the boxes so she is able to install a gate but she does not have the funds to pay Eskom.

The petition was referred to Emfuleni Local Municipality for investigation and reporting, and to the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA & Human Settlements for oversight on the 27th October 2017.

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3.Housing     Stand 408/7/8: Evaton

The petitioner is Mr. Paul Semanga, an adult male who resides at 408/6 Bates Road, Mafatsane, Evaton. The petitioner alleges that he applied to buy vacant land from the municipality in 1996 but did not receive a response. He also alleges that the land was turned into a dumping site by the community so he decided to zone the area and build a crèche.

He further alleges that he approached the municipality for the second time in 2012 with the hope that his application would be successful but was told that the land is not for sale. As a result, he requested to lease the land with the option of getting first preference should the municipality decide to sell the land. However, he alleges that the municipality is still not willing to sell the land to him even though he now has a fully-fledged crèche.

The petition was referred to Emfuleni Local Municipality for investigation and reporting, and to the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA & Human Settlements for oversight on the  November 2017.

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4. Housing    Issuing of Title Deeds: Early Childhood Development Centres:

The petitioner is Mr. Robert Sekete, an adult male, who resides at 76/59 Bouwdry Road, Small Farms, Evaton, submitting this petition on behalf of the owners of Early Child Development Centers (ECDs) in Evaton.

The petitioner alleges that there is a delay in issuing title deeds to the residents of Tshepong, Eatonside, Boitumelo and Kanana who use their RDP houses as ECDs.

He also alleges that the delay in the issuing of title deeds means that the owners of the ECDs are unable to extend their houses as their building plans will not be approved without title deeds.

He further alleges that this prevents some owners from meeting the requirements of operating an ECD due to the inability to provide proper facilities for children.

He further alleges that they informed the Department of Human Settlements about the matter but they are still waiting.  The petition was referred to Emfuleni Local Municipality and the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements for investigation and reporting and to the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA & Human Settlements for oversight on the 21st May 2015.

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5. Housing    Request for an RDP House: Sebokeng

The petitioner is Mrs. Mamoipone Tlhabanelo, an adult female who resides at 6065 Zone 12, Sebokeng, Vereeniging.

The petitioner alleges that her parents (Maria and Vitalis Pontseng) had a bond house in Sebokeng during the 1980s.

However, she alleges that her father was retrenched in 1991 before he could pay off the bond and as a result the house was repossessed.

She also alleges that her parents are now senior citizens and homeless but are unable to qualify for an RDP House as the system indicates that they are beneficiaries of a subsidy.

She further alleges that the subsidy was for the bond house as her father was an employee of the then Transvaal Provincial Government (TPA) and not an RDP House but nothing was done to rectify this matter on the system.

Furthermore, the petitioner alleges that she informed the Department of Human Settlements about this matter, but they insist that her parents are already beneficiaries.

The petition was referred to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements for investigation and reporting and to the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA & Human Settlements for oversight on the 21st May 2015.

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6. Housing/Municipality     Vacant Land: Stand 1107 Evaton

The petitioner is Mr. Tebogo Chochoe. He alleges that he inherited stand 1107 Corner Bodea and Adam Road in Evaton which is 8089 square meters.

He also alleges that he intended to utilize the land to build low cost houses for the community of Evaton but has not been granted permission due to lack of cooperation from the municipality.

He further alleges that he then escalated the matter to the Office of the Premier for intervention, but he still has not been assisted.      The petition was referred to the Emfuleni Local Municipality for investigation and reporting and to the Portfolio Committee on  CoGTA & Human Settlements for oversight on the 21st May 2015.

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7.       COGTA/Municipal    Inflated Billing: Midvaal

The petitioner is Mr Joseph Mokotso, an adult male who resides at 7 Railway Road, Noldick, 1961. The petitioner alleges that the Midavaal Local Municipality has been inflating water charges interminably – over the years. The petitioner states that prior to him going on pension in 2015, he would honor payment for municipal bills. After he became a pensioner it became cumbersome for him to honor municipal rates bills. He elucidates that municipal rates were averaging at R600 in 2015, currently water charges average at R2500 – which is a startling 400% increase. 

He draws inference on how municipality has constantly been increasing the value of his property wittingly to increase water charges exorbitantly. He furthermore states that he brought the matter to the attention of the municipality, however his matter has not been attended to. He thus requests the intervention of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

The petition was referred to the Midvaal Local Municipality for investigation and reporting, and to the Portfolio Committee on CoGTA & Human Settlements for oversight on the on the 11th September 2020