No plans for relocation for Diepsloot residents - Mokonyane 6 July 2004 Gauteng Housing MEC, Nomvula Mokonyane, has dismissed as "incorrect and misleading" rumours that some residents in Diepsloot are to be relocated to Brits. Mokonyane said the rumours were perpetuated by people who have their own agendas and did not want to see the communities progressing. "I wish to assure people affected by this fictitious rumour that the Gauteng provincial government and the City of Johannesburg have at no stage contemplated to move Diepsloot residents to Brits. "We are a government that is founded on democratic principles and we firmly believe in consultation with communities and affected people at all times. If there was any decision of this nature, as claimed by those fuelling violence, we would have widely consulted and discussed the matter with people of Diepsloot and interested parties," Mokonyane said. The housing department, in consultation with various stakeholders, is currently looking at various ways and processes to assist people of Diepsloot. It is the intention of the department to utilise all the resources at its disposal to ensure that such matters are speedily resolved. Mokonyane said while government was trying to assist people with housing, "we cannot allow anarchy to prevail and have people destroying council property and harassing elected public representatives." She said she had already met and spoke to Community Safety MEC, Firoz Cachalia, to ensure that police arrest and charge, "all those implicated in this senseless violence and intimidation". The MEC urged Gauteng residents - and Diepsloot residents in particular - to work closely with her department and government to help accelerate housing delivery in the province. For more information contact: Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
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