Latest news with #AaronMaluleka
IOL News
05-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Upcoming housing project promises new hope for Marry Me Informal Settlement residents
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing and Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, recently held a public meeting to inform residents of Marry Me Informal Settlement about a new housing development planned for the area. Image: Supplied / City of Tshwane Shack dwellers at the Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve, where six patrollers were fatally shot in March, are set to benefit from a new housing development, expected to commence before December. Ward 89 councillor, Tshepo Malefane, said a community meeting was held on Saturday to update residents on the development plans for the area. He said during the meeting, it was explained that the City of Tshwane has already put aside a budget for the development of the area in the current financial year. 'This means that before December, we would have started with auditing of the area,' he said. According to Malefane, the development will start with the installation of bulk infrastructure, including water and sewerage pipes, to mark the beginning of the actual work on the project. He said the new development will prioritise housing for South African citizens. 'No one will remain there because remember we are cleaning Marry Me, and we don't want anyone there,' he said. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing and Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, advised residents against constructing new shacks outside the existing informal settlement boundaries, warning that it would hinder the formalisation process. 'The new shacks have been built outside the boundaries of portion 15 of the farm Wentzelrust 223 JR, owned by the city,' he said. He said residents were informed that 3,208 households were identified and registered during the shack-marking process. Maluleka said: 'Those who qualify for housing will be relocated to a new area, Kopanong, where walk-up houses will be constructed. Other residents will be allocated stands in the area.' He said 3,000 stands will be allocated and registered to qualifying residents through the decanting and formalisation process.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tribunal to ensure urban development becomes more transparent
Tribunal to ensure urban development becomes more transparent On July 15, the metro embarked on a project to promote transparency in urban development with the launch of the Strategic Land Development Tribunal (SLDT). The SLDT operates under the leadership of the MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka. According to the MMC's spokesperson, Melandre Frost, the tribunal is a framework designed to ensure transparency in the metro. 'This structure ensures that decisions are made with due consideration of public participation, legal compliance, and the metro's developmental objectives, as outlined in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Municipal Spatial Development Framework,' she said. Frost emphasised that the multiparty coalition government remains dedicated in its commitment to service delivery and good governance. 'The SLDT's work is a key component of this commitment, ensuring that land development processes are conducted with integrity, efficiency, and responsiveness to the needs of Tshwane's residents and stakeholders.' She said the structure includes proportional representation from Council. 'In April this year, Mayor Nasiphi Moya appointed the current committee. 'He (Maluleka) is tasked with ensuring fair, lawful, and efficient decision-making on land development matters, in line with relevant legislation,' she said. Frost added that a quorum of two members will enable the tribunal to operate efficiently while maintaining strict oversight. 'The MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, serves as an alternate member and alternate chairperson.' She added that the tribunal also has representation from the office of the mayor and the governance support officer. 'The SLDT's composition reflects a commitment to balanced and accountable governance.' She said the tribunal's processes will strictly adhere to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act of 2000. 'The processes are guaranteeing procedural fairness, and all decisions will align with the metro-approved policies and legislative mandates.' She said administrative support from group legal and secretariat services will also promote transparency and compliance. Frost called on all stakeholders to engage constructively with the tribunal as the metro works to advance sustainable and inclusive development. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Investigation into illegal settlements gains momentum
Houses in the Kleinfontein community just outside Pretoria East will not be demolished after details were released from the report of a mayoral committee tasked to developing a framework on what is illegal and what is an informal establishment within the metro's jurisdiction. Kleinfontein will however be held to comply with the metro's regulations for city planning and zoning as well as to be penalised for failure to pay rates and taxes. This opinion was expressed by Aaron Maluleka, the MMC for Tshwane Human Settlements, in July. Kleinfontein is expected to pay just over R2-million per month in taxes, a huge leap from its previous R126 000 per month. The Kleinfontein community has appealed to the metro to fast-track its rezoning application in order to comply and pay fair rates and taxes. Maluleka said the metro leadership will be in contact with the Kleinfontein leadership on compliance matters, the preservation of wetlands and other matters like the application for zoning pending since 2013 . The Kleinfontein community welcomed the mayoral sub-committee proactive approach and commitment to resolving issues. Spokesperson for the community, Danie de Beer, said, 'We do however disagree that Kleinfontein is grouped with 17 so called illegal settlements. 'As a community settlement, we differ fundamentally from a conventional profit driven development. Kleinfontein is a community settlement and not a development in the true sense of the word. 'In addition, we have an active and pending rezoning application with the metro. 'Kleinfontein is further different as it is mostly self sufficient and does not use nor requires any services from the city. Lastly, we gained cultural status in 2013 as a community. 'Clearly Kleinfontein is different and cannot just be labelled as just another illegal settlement.' Issues around zoning and other metro matters concerning the development of Kleinfontein came to light again with the report that was tabled at a mayoral committee meeting in June and that will most likely finally be tabled at a meeting of the council later this month. Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the report is the result of a decision in May 2025 by the mayoral committee to establish a subcommittee to develop a policy framework to address the growing issue of illegal developments within the metro. In the report the metro has identified 17 such developments, some occurring on council-owned land and others on private property. These developments were all initiated outside the legal frameworks governing township establishment. 'These developments typically bypass formal application processes, planning approvals, and infrastructure contributions, posing significant regulatory and infrastructural challenges,' said Mashigo. He explained these developments fall into two broad categories. The first involves individual property owners acting outside legal frameworks by using or developing their land without proper zoning approvals or building plans. By sidestepping the compliance matters, they are contravening the Tshwane Land Use Scheme of 2024, and National Building Regulations. The second category involves landowners knowingly allowing others to develop medium- to high-value housing or commercial structures on their land without legal permission from the metro. In both cases, development occurs without metro oversight, or the legal contributions required to support infrastructure expansion. 'Understanding the impact of these 'illegal townships' requires distinguishing them from informal settlements. 'While informal areas may be identified for upgrading through transitional processes as per the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, illegal townships involve formal construction and land use that is entirely outside the legal framework.' The metro's by-laws define 'illegal townships' in contrast to 'townships' and 'informal settlements', allowing for specific responses. These 17 identified developments fit the criteria for illegal townships, where formal housing is erected without township establishment processes. Mashigo confirmed, 'Illegal townships result in serious consequences, including lack of access to basic services, poor spatial planning, infrastructure strain, and safety risks from unregulated land occupation. 'The metro, therefore, seeks to respond decisively by developing and implementing a clear policy framework. 'The mayoral sub-committee will lead this effort, aligning with applicable legislation to prevent future illegal developments and address existing ones in a structured and sustainable manner.' He added the committee's primary objective is to develop a comprehensive framework aligned with the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act and by-laws to address and prevent the proliferation of illegal townships and developments. 'This includes identifying and profiling all such settlements, recommending a unified policy response, and creating preventative mechanisms such as better enforcement, early detection, and raising public awareness,' said Mashigo. The subcommittee's responsibilities focus on thoroughly reviewing the legal and planning aspects of 17 identified illegal townships. The developments where these illegal land use activities have been identified include Kleinfontein and areas such as Leeuwfontein, Moshate Gardens, Marula View, Mooikloof (Tweefontein), Wallmannsthal, Haakdoringboom, Onderstepoort,Moshate Gardens, The review involves consulting with affected residents and property owners, engaging government departments and enforcement agencies, and considering policy, legal, spatial, and infrastructure issues. 'Ultimately, the subcommittee is expected to propose a consolidated approach and draft policy for council approval. 'It should also advise on amendments to the city's spatial development framework and serve as a technical advisory body to the mayoral committee on illegal township matters,' said Mashigo. In the interim, the council has approved the implementation of penalty rates on 713 property owners identified by the administration for illegal land use, and failure to take remedial action. This includes some illegal developments as well as individual properties spread all over the city that are being used for purposes in contravention of the current zoning. These properties will now be recategorised for rates purposes as 'unpermitted use' and the owners be compelled to pay penalty rates. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
13-07-2025
- IOL News
Tshwane investigates allegations of illicit sales of service stands in Zithobeni Heights
Tshwane's Human Settlements MMC, Aaron Maluleka, expressed concern over beneficiaries selling their allocated stands soon after receiving them. Image: Supplied/City of Tshwane The City of Tshwane's allocation of service stands to Zithobeni Heights residents has been rocked by allegations of illicit sales of sites intended for beneficiaries in need. Tshwane's Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, expressed concern that some beneficiaries are selling their allocated stands shortly after receiving them. He made this revelation during a visit to the area on Friday, accompanied by Deputy Executive Mayor Eugene Modise. The visit was aimed to address allegations that threatened to deny deserving residents their rightful allocation of sites. Maluleka called for an investigation into the matter, with the City's Group Audit and Risk division tasked with determining the full extent of these unlawful activities. "We adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards corruption and malfeasance. Any City officials found to be involved in these unlawful acts will face severe consequences, including disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and the termination of their careers,' he said. The investigation follows a meeting between Maluleka, Modise, and councillors for wards 102 and 105 to discuss the Zithobeni Heights Serviced Stands Project's progress. Maluleka said that the City recognises certain vulnerable groups, such as child-headed families, backyard dwellers, and emergency cases, are not being adequately addressed through the current initiative. To address this issue, a new housing project is set to commence shortly, providing an additional 3,000 housing opportunities specifically for these categories. The development includes strategically reserved open spaces for essential community facilities, which will be protected from unlawful occupation. Maluleka urged members of the public with information on the illegal sale of stands or other corrupt activities to report such malfeasance to the nearest SAPS station or the City of Tshwane Fraud Hotline. He said a ward 102 councillor has been directed to collaborate with City officials to finalise the relocation of remaining beneficiaries from his ward. 'The development includes strategically reserved open spaces designated for essential community facilities, including churches, sports facilities, schools, and parks. These spaces are critical for future community development and will be protected from unlawful occupation. The Metro Police Department has been instructed to remove any individuals who illegally occupy these reserved areas, as they are vital for the long-term social and recreational needs of the community,' he said. [email protected]
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- The Citizen
Metro tackles non-compliant Sunnyside buildings and businesses
The metro is calling on property and business owners in Sunnyside to get their houses in order following a recent by-law operation in the CBD. A targeted operation was conducted in Sunnyside on June 20 to address the alarming rise in illegal and overcrowded private accommodation and illegally operated businesses. Stakeholders included the Integrated By-laws Enforcement Committee (IBEC), the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), SAPS, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, private security companies and economic development, health and finance officials. MMC for Human Settlements Aaron Maluleka said he witnessed first-hand the blatant disregard for municipal by-laws and the dangerous living conditions imposed on vulnerable residents, including students and young workers. 'During the operation, our teams discovered multiple private flats that had been illegally partitioned, transforming originally approved two-bedroom units into cramped five-bedroom spaces,' Maluleka said. He said law enforcement remains a top priority for the coalition government and that they are committed to rooting out transgressions that threaten public safety and economic development. 'These unauthorised modifications were carried out without the necessary approvals from building control or the fire department, putting occupants at severe risk. Landlords are exploiting the high demand for affordable housing by charging exorbitant rent (between R2 000 and R2 500 per space) while ignoring critical safety regulations,' Maluleka said. The MMC said the structural integrity of these buildings has been severely compromised, describing it as a ticking time bomb for potential disasters, such as fires, building collapses or health hazards. He said in those instances of disaster, the responsibility lies with local government, despite the factors leading to such disasters being preventable. He added that the metro will not compromise the lives of its citizens for financial gain, as he issued a final warning to property owners in Sunnyside, Arcadia and surrounding areas to adhere to the following conditions: – Cease illegal partitioning and revert buildings to their approved structures. – Obtain the necessary permits from building control and the fire department. – Ensure compliance with all municipal by-laws, including occupancy limits and safety standards. 'Failure to adhere to these directives will result in swift legal action, including fines, forced evacuations and the condemnation of non-compliant buildings. Our building control and fire department teams will conduct follow-up inspections in the coming days, and any violations will be met with zero tolerance,' Maluleka said. Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, who was also in attendance at the Sunnyside operation, said it was tiring dealing with the same culprits on previous occasions, referring to store and club owners that refuse to adhere to by-law regulations. 'A few weeks ago, we were here and we closed down all these shops because they are not complying. They opened, we came back, we closed them down, they opened, and now we're back again. Really, it's tiring. These people are something else, the audacity and sheer disrespect for our laws, and we also dropped the ball because they were never supposed to be allowed to reopen,' Moya said. Moya was outside the street that houses the popular nightspot House 22. That club and many other businesses have been served with eviction notices during the operation. Stakeholders also arrested multiple undocumented foreign nationals, closed down a spaza being run by an asylum seeker, and another store selling food and other products without adhering to health regulations. The metro said it recognises the need for affordable housing, but insists that local economic development thrives only when communities are secure and laws are respected. MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, as well as the Chairperson of the Mayoral Bad Buildings Subcommittee, Kholofelo Morodi, said Sunnyside is very, very problematic to the residents and they are taking back the city bit by bit. Morodi and the committee met with the Embassy of China alongside major Chinese state-owned enterprises earlier this month to discuss land-use models that could be used in high-density areas. 'Tshwane's inner city, particularly the CBD, remains a focal point of the city's urban renewal strategy. The city is committed to reversing the decline of the CBD and repositioning it as a functional, clean and safe environment that attracts investment and restores public confidence. 'The city is committed to receiving abandoned buildings, enforcing by-laws, and partnering with both local and international stakeholders,' she added. Residents are urged to report illegal accommodation via the TMPD hotline or their nearest police station. Watch here: We made some arrests during our by-law operation in Sunnyside. @CityTshwane — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) June 19, 2025 Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
