Residents of K54 informal settlements in the East of Tshwane have expressed happiness after the City of Tshwane Municipality finally relocated them from their uninhabitable area to a safer place at Pienaarspoort Extension 15 on Tuesday morning.
There was a happy mood and tears of joy when residents of K54 informal settlement were relocated to permanent place after staying there for almost 20 years.
“I’m so happy that finally residents are being relocated to a safer place, and they will be able to build houses because they are relocated to permanent places,” said delighted ward councillor Pinky Lekala speaking to Tshwane Talks.
Lekala said the former Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, launched a R440 million road construction project on the K54 (Tsamaya Road) in Mamelodi, Tshwane east in 2018. Tsamaya road is one of the busiest arterial routes in the township.
The multi-million township project is wholly funded by the Gauteng Provincial Government.
It includes constructing a northbound dual carriageway, two bridges over the railway line, cycle and pedestrian paths as well as taxi lay-bys.
Other works include resurfacing the section leading to the N4 freeway, application of road markings and the installation of traffic signals.
Upon completion the road will serve as an important link between Mamelodi and the N4 freeway and act as an alternative to Moloto Road. It will also improve road safety in the township.
“The K54 will function as a catalyst for the stimulation of the socio-economic development in Mamelodi and surrounding areas through the provision of a modern road network and K54 has an important function as part of a future ring road for greater Tshwane,” she said.
40-year-old Thabiso Mathebe expressed happiness because she would from now on, no longer share a bedroom with her children but will have the privacy of sharing her bedroom only with her future husband while her children will also have their own bedroom.
“Though I don’t even know who the Councillor responsible for our relocation is, I would really like to thank all the leaders for keeping their promises to relocate us and am thankful that the relocation process has not been marred by violence,” said Mathebe as she in the process also thanked ordinary workers who helped in carrying their luggage during the relocation process and never rushed or shouted at them but showed Ubuntu to them.
31-year-old relocated resident Johny Khoza said:
“God has answered our prayers, life has been terrible at the informal settlement but be that as it may we had water and electricity there.”
Khoza, who had been living at the informal settlement for 15 years now, expressed hope that the City of Tshwane Municipality will immediately provide them with water and electricity at the Pienaarspoort Extension 15 settlement area.
29-year-old Nokuthula Matsobane thanked the local Councillor for having facilitated their relocation to a safer place.
“For far too long we have been promised relocation, and we are very grateful that it has finally happened and hope that our new home will be a good place,” she said.
She said though others among the informal settlement dwellers were reluctant to be relocated, being relocated is a better option as their stands at Pienaarspoort Extension 15 are permanent ones and safe, and that she will be able to build a better future for her children.