Sol Plaatje must turn streetlights on for festive season
| by Christopher Phiri, Cllr – DA Caucus Leader, Sol Plaatje Municipality |
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| Date: 18 March 2020 |
| Release: Immediate |
| The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be pushing for Sol Plaatje municipality to prioritise the development of a legitimate spatial plan for the city, following mushrooming issues relating to the allocation of land for housing and other purposes.The latest land issue under the spotlight is a small-scale farming initiative in Greenpoint, with livestock, including cattle and sheep, bordering on residences. Community members have concerns regarding hygiene issues, as well as the foul smell emanating from the livestock that is penetrating their homes.Sol Plaatje municipality’s Human Settlements unit recently failed to accept an invitation to attend a meeting scheduled with the small-scale farmers and the community. At the meeting it was clear that the community wants the farmers removed at all costs, even if they have to remove them themselves. The small-scale farmers meanwhile, are willing to relocate, however they have nowhere else to go.The DA is concerned that the situation is volatile and may spark community unrest if not urgently dealt with. We are therefore dismayed that Sol Plaatje saw fit to snub this meeting.Sol Plaatje’s failure to address the heated land issue in and around the city is growing evidence of the fact that the municipality is either incapable or unwilling to address the land issue, which in addition to the Greenpoint matter, has seen a growing number of illegal settlements popping up all over the place.By ignoring this problem, it is not going to go away. Instead, it will only get worse.The DA will therefore continue to place pressure on the municipality to deal with the land issue. The municipality must start by developing a legitimate spatial plan, that accommodates the need for low and mid income housing, as well as farming. |
| Media Enquiries |
| Christopher Phiri, CllrDA Caucus Leader, Sol Plaatje Municipality078 740 9930 Shelley De WittResearcher082 847 1387 |
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