Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti has promised to return to Suurbraak next month to meet the Swellendam municipal mayor and manager to discuss the housing and service delivery issues raised by the hamlet’s residents.
Yesterday, Nkwinti met the residents of the former missionary town, after committing to do so in a march, when representatives and activists visited Parliament in March.
Accompanied by a delegation including Human Rights Commission member Chris Nissan and parliamentary portfolio committee member on rural development and land reform Andrew Madella, Nkwinti was informed of the delay in the transfer of land that was held in trust by the minister.
Suurbraak Civic Association chairperson Burton Beukes said that the community met Nkwinti in the community hall and provided him with the background to their situation.
“The transformation committee, established last year, completely neglected their duty in providing the community feedback.
“The minister allowed us to address these matters and the other land and housing issues that we have and approved the formation of an interim committee to facilitate the process for a new, more representative committee,” Beukes told the Cape Times.
A new transformation committee is due to be established to move forward with the land transfer process.
Beukes said the interim committee’s first act was to elect a representative committee that consisted of the town’s relevant roleplayers.
Residents and activists have been living on the land
along the Main Road in makeshift shacks since May, in protest over the Swellendam municipality’s lack of service delivery.
They only moved to the town’s community hall during a storm in July.
The shacks were demolished by the Red Ants in September and the residents and activists have been living in the hall under constant threat of eviction.
Mawubuye land activist and Suurbraak resident Reinette Heunis said the minister had informed them that the hall was earmarked for restoration and three families faced being evicted onto the streets.
She added that these issues were part and parcel of the problems they faced with the municipality, that there was no alternative housing provided, while their shacks were demolished without warning.
Madella, who is the ANC MP for Suurbraak, said that the minister had listened to the residents and had planned to meet the Swellendam Municipality, but was not able to do so.
“The minister listened to the community, but must give the Swellendam Municipality an opportunity to provide an explanation of the processes that they have followed,” he added.
“It was of concern to the minister that many of the issues raised included claims that alternative housing for families living in the hall were not being addressed by the municipality.
“He has therefore committed to return next month and meet with the mayor and municipal manager.”