Johannesburg - Extension six was supposed to bring 3 000 houses to Kokosi. But nine years later, the piece of land in the township outside the West Rand town of Fochville is still undeveloped. And the residents are tired of waiting.
The community has protested throughout this week, with small groups fighting running battles with the police.
Gauteng police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale said 45 people were arrested during the week after a liquor store and a spaza shop had been looted.
The provincial ANC branch said three councillors’ homes were also torched.
Those arrested were expected to appear in court on Thursday morning.
Gauteng housing spokesman Motsamai Motlhaolwa said delays in Kokosi’s extension six cropped up soon after the government began installing services on the land in 2004.
“It appeared the seller had already offered the land to another buyer and the court ruled in favour of this buyer,” he said. The government is now trying to buy the land - again - but hasn’t settled on a price with the new owner.
On Wednesday, Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko tried to address the protesters, but emotions spilled over as they voiced their concerns.
“How can a person be free since 1994, but up until today be without a house?” asked one protester.
“If we didn’t toyi-toyi, we wouldn’t be getting the attention we’re getting now,” shouted another.
Unemployment, lack of roads, flooding, sewage spills, rubbish in the streets, expensive electricity, high rent and a mayor who, they said, routinely referred to them as “illiterate” and “children” in community meetings - these were the reasons behind the protest.
Slums Magodielo, spokesman for Merafong municipality mayor Maphefo Mogale-Letsie, denied the allegation:
“The mayor under no circumstances has ever referred to any member of the community as illiterate in any stakeholder or community meeting.”
The meeting dissolved when stones began to fly. The police used nyalas to disperse the crowd, but a small group taunted them throughout the afternoon.
An EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) contingent led by Kenny Kunene arrived later in the day to try to secure a negotiated release of the arrested residents.
“Fochville is neglected,” said Nonceba Ndamane, spokeswoman for the Greater Fochville Concerned Citizens. Residents were told last year that the land matter had been settled and development in extension six would soon begin. But later they learnt otherwise.
“We’ve had several engagements with the mayor’s office. We’ve been patient for a long time. We thought, ‘One day our government will do something’.”
Magodielo said “the community will be informed as soon as the matter is resolved”, but their patience has run dry. “The community is very bitter,” said Ndamane.
The Star