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The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, has responded to those who criticized her new adventure of housing people who currently live in tents, in temporary wooden structures.
The project has been piloted for 72 families living in tents on a plot in Wilgespruit, Roodeport.
They have resided in the area for more than two years after being forcibly evicted from a plot they had previously occupied.
They are expected to move into their new homes soon, of which some 50 structures have been completed.
Sisulu said one of the reasons for the project was to help homeless people safely comply with closing regulations and practice safe social distancing.
He added that those who criticized the temporary wooden structures should provide alternatives.
READ | The government will build temporary wooden houses in an attempt to aid physical distancing
“They must see where these people lived before these structures were built. No one cared about them. Now, they care to criticize because we are putting people in better accommodations.”
“This is what this government stands for. Those who criticize these structures should have come up with better structures.”
Sisulu said that upon learning of the plight of residents, he sold the idea to Johannesburg city mayor Geoff Makhubo.
She said she was open to engaging with other municipalities in the country.
“It will depend on how [the] The local government sphere takes the idea and invites us to come and help them. We cannot impose that on them. This is how it has worked for us and how we should go.
“We have the technology and with life on the move, we have to adopt new technologies. The only way to sustain the development of our societies and the growth of our cities here is the alternative solution that we can use while we hope to host our citizens elsewhere ” Sisulu added.
She said it was possible to get things done in the shortest time possible while “making sure to meet standards and provide good quality housing at a possible time.”
“We have a way in South Africa of thinking that tomorrow is another day and postponing things. This is a quick delivery. I am impressed with what we have seen today. They promised 72 units, not only built 50 units but also transferred skills for the residents here, “added Sisulu.
Makhubo promised that the City would build RDP houses for families.
“These are temporary units. We are moving them from tents to a clean and livable location. I am happy with the progress so far. This is not the first and last project. We are building others in Alexandra, Diepsloot and Soweto.”
“We have to give our people a decent life while they wait for RDP houses. These houses will be enough for all the families here. We are moving them away from the stores to fight the coronavirus and observe physical distancing,” he said.
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