Ald Aaron Maluleka
MMC for Human Settlements
By Ald Aaron Maluleka
MMC for Human Settlements
The City of Tshwane is aware of concerns regarding water supply at Mshonguville,
also known as Jeffsville Informal Settlement, and wishes to provide clarity on the current situation while appealing to residents to refrain from further illegal land invasions.
Mshongoville is located on the Remainder of Portion 3 of the Farm Skurweplaas 353 JR, spanning Wards 71 and 72.
The area forms part of an informal settlement that was relocated to the formalised township of Booysens Extension 4 in 2017, where qualifying beneficiaries were allocated permanent residential stands.
Following the relocation, the vacated land was unlawfully re-invaded.
The recently occupied section of Mshonguville, situated on the steep mountain slopes, falls outside the recognized areas identified by the City for the provision of basic municipal services.
Despite these challenges, the City continues to provide basic water services to recognised informal settlements in the area.
In Ward 71, residents of Jeffsville are
supplied through three mobile water tankers.
In neighbouring informal settlements in
Ward 72, namely AD Section, Matlejwane and Concern, the City provides nine stationary water tanks supported by three additional mobile water tankers.
This brings the total number of mobile water tankers servicing Wards 71 and 72 to six.
The City, however, faces significant challenges in extending water services to
Mshonguville.
The steep, inaccessible terrain prevents fully loaded water tankers from reaching households on top of the mountain.
To ensure that residents still have access to water, the City has implemented designated “peace stops” at the foot of the mountain, where residents can collect water using buckets, containers, and other portable storage containers.
Residents need to note that the illegal occupation of land places immense pressure on municipal resources, delays planned
development and compromises the delivery of essential services.
Residents are urged to refrain from invading land and to utilise lawful housing
allocation processes administered by the City.
The City remains committed to providing basic services within available resources
while pursuing sustainable human settlements through lawful planning and
development.
Residents are encouraged to work with the City to protect public land, support orderly human settlement development, and report any illegal land invasions to the relevant municipal authorities.
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