Relations between the City and the residents of Masiphumelele have broken down to such an extent that the City has hired a private mediator to resolve
differences.
During a heated meeting, which lasted for almost two hours, with the appointed mediating company, Industries Relations Change (IRC), the community rejected the mediator and said they wanted to deal with the City directly.
Four of IRC’s representatives visited Masiphumelele to alert them of their appointment and how they planned to resolve the frosty relations with the City.
Residents, however, said the mediator would be in favour of the City, as it was paid by the City to mediate, thus they rejected IRC.
Speaking at the meeting on behalf of Masiphumelele, Advocate Paul Hoffman said it was not right that the City appointed a mediator without first informing the community about that decision “as if we don’t have brains”.
“We know we are going into the mediation knowing we have the law on our side,” said Hoffman.
Community leader Tshepo Moletsane said the issues that resulted in relations breaking down were because the City was “dragging its feet” on cleaning canals and electrifying the informal settlement.
He said the most important issue was Erf 5131, and two other vacant pieces of land, where residents believe low-cost houses could be built.
“We want Erf 5131 to be released immediately, as promised. We are requesting the City to speed up the process. We want to deal with the City directly and not a mediator. We were in discussions with the City andThe City must engage us, not a mediator,” said Moletsane.
Resident Ndumiso Gaca said: “The mediator sees this as a job opportunity and we don’t want someone coming from the outside to talk about issues of Masiphumelele that they don’t know about. We want the City to come themselves.”
IRC’s representative Geoffrey Mamputa said they had been approached by the City to mediate. “We are not mediating as yet. We want to know from you, the community, if we are accepted or not. If you say ‘no’ then we cannot continue with mediation.”
Mayco member for Informal Settlements, Water, Waste Services and Energy, Xanthea Limberg, said: “The City remains absolutely committed to working together to find ways to improve the living conditions of our residents living in Masiphumelele. We will achieve this if we all work together.”