MINISTRY OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS Republic of

REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, ON THE COMPOSITION OF ENQUIRY ON THE REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS OF SANRAL LAND AT NOMZAMO/LWANDLE, , JUNE 05, 2014, IMBIZO ROOM, PARLIAMENT

Greetings to Members of the Media

What happened on Monday and Tuesday is on record and known by all as it was captured in all forms of media. It is also on record that the Premier of the , Honourable indicated that the province is not involved. The also communicated the same message through a media statement that they are not involved and they have no responsibility on the matter. I then decided that National Government must be involved to find a solution to the problem. We have therefore declared this a National Special Project managed by the National Department.

We must start by putting it on record that we do not tolerate, condone nor encourage any illegal occupation of land in our country. Of concern for us was that people did not have temporary accommodation during winter and exam time.

Taking into consideration concerns raised by all stakeholders on the timing and manner of the removal, the blame game between the City of Cape Town and SANRAL I have decided to establish a Ministerial Enquiry to establish the truth.

The Enquiry will:  Investigate all the circumstances under with the removal took place, including the history, the facts leading to the application for and obtaining of the court order by SANRAL on January 24, 2014; the role of the relevant Sheriff.

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 The roles of the law enforcement officials who assisted the Sheriff and any other official of the National, Provincial and Local Government and any other person or institution,

 Establish the identity of the members of the informal settlement, how the community came to be on the land in question when there is waiting list for the provision of housing in terms of Government programmes.

 Report of the Minister on its investigation and findings and make necessary recommendations to the Minister for consideration.

The Enquiry will consist of the following six members:

Adv. D Potgieter SC (Chairperson)

Ms Nomhle Beauty Dambuza

Ms Mampe Ramotsamai

Ms Jabu Sosibo

Mr Butch Steyn

Ms Annelize van Wyk

Mr Barnabas Xulu

I am hoping the Enquiry will be able to report within thirty days. I also hope their report will allow assist us to put together measures to make sure that we do not have the same problem again anywhere in South Africa. The Commission will seat here in Cape Town to ensure full participation of all stakeholders.

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Update on the engagement with the community and way forward

The Minister of Transport, Ms , MP, Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Zoe Kota Fredericks and the MEC of Human Settlements, Mr Bonginkosi Madikizela, MPL met with the community on Tuesday.

We visited also the land yesterday and met with the leadership of the community at the hall last night. We must thank those who have joined the Government to provide food and other needs to the community in this difficult time.

At the meeting yesterday the community indicated that going back to the same land to be removed after sixty days is not a option. SANRAL has since agreed to purchase another piece of land to relocate the people as a permanent solution. This process is on; the Housing Development Agency, SANRAL and the National Department of Human Settlement are currently busy reviewing the options of land provided by SANRAL. I will meet them again this evening to finalise.

The MEC of Human Settlement, Mr Madikizela has indicated that the province will assist with emergency kits and temporary basic services like sanitation and water to enable people to settle quickly on the land identified.

We are committed to permanent solution to this problem in the interest of the people.

Thank you

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