“Get the job done,” the chair of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, told authorities involved in the relocation of families living along the Central railway line in Cape Town.
- Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts had harsh words for authorities involved in the relocation of families living near Cape Town’s railway tracks.
- Informal settlements along the rail reserve sprang up after the Central Line was closed in 2019 and the line cannot be fully opened again until they relocate.
- The City of Cape Town, the Passenger Rail Agency, the Department of Transport and the Housing Development Agency all blame each other for delays.
- SCOPA told authorities to find solutions and report back monthly, starting on 27 July.
MPs on Wednesday slammed all the authorities involved in the relocation of families from three informal settlements along the Central railway line in Cape Town.
The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA), the City of Cape Town, the Departments of Public Works and Human Settlements, and the Housing Development Agency (HDA) all came under fire from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).
SCOPA chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa sternly told those concerned: “If you execute not acquire pace don’t advance here, don’t soar or drive, wasting taxpayers’ money. Disappear and acquire the job done.”
The informal settlements in Khayelitsha, Philippi and Langa sprang up when PRASA closed the Central Line in 2019. Section of the line has since been opened, but until the families are relocated, the full service cannot be resumed.
The City and the HDA believe been blaming each other for the delays, with the City saying the HDA must acquire land and finance must be provided for the provision of basic services by the municipality.
Deputy Minister of Transport Lisa Mangcu told SCOPA the City was cautious to succor. “It’s not honest a matter of getting land. The City needs to roll out bulk infrastructure services.” He said money had been transferred to the City and people were “ready and willing” to go off the rail reserve.
Responding, deputy mayor Eddie Andrews said the City had complied with all expectations.
“We believe made it very clear that we will assist with basic services, but only once we acquire confirmation that land has been acquired. We are committed to assist the HDA once land has been secured.”
He said the families could not be moved into “emergency housing” because by law that would be temporary housing “required for households whose houses are inhabitable as a result of a disaster situation”.
“A formal application needs now to be submitted; it can only be submitted if you maintain acquired land and that is where the impasse is.”
MP Mzwanele Manyi (EFF) said the national public works department should consider expropriating land without compensation. “We are dealing with human beings, people with children that need to recede to school.”
Bheki Hadebe (ANC) agreed. “Cape Town is not a republic, it is fraction of South Africa. I agree … there must be expropriation without compensation if push comes to shove.”
DA MP Robert Lees said everyone agreed the Central line was critical for the City’s economic activity.
“The sad thing about this is that none of this would believe been necessary if the Minister of Transport, PRASA board, and PRASA executive at that time had done their jobs,” said Lees.
Hlengwa told the authorities involved to “get the job done”.
“I find this to be the most unprofessional working relationship coming from the government. Money is available but there is no movement. This is not acceptable. Procure the job done. Shape up or ship out. If you are not up to this task, leave.”
The committee agreed to meet monthly on the issue, with the next meeting on 27 July. “Come back with pace,” Hlengwa told those present. “I despise babysitting but in this case we will babysit you, we are going to advance here every month until you resolve this thing.”
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