Latest news with #HumanSettlementsDepartment
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Orangi no more a slum, PA told
Once dubbed as the biggest slum of the Asia, Orangi Town is no more a katchi abadi, said CM's Advisor on Human Settlement Najmi Alam on the floor of Sindh Assembly on Friday. "Orangi Town is no longer classified as a katchi abadi (slum), with the Sindh government investing Rs7 billion in its development," Najmi said. He noted that while the number of slums across the city has grown significantly, the government is committed to regularising these settlements after completing all necessary legal formalities. He made these remarks on Friday during the question-and-answer session related to the Human Settlements Department in the Sindh Assembly. The session, chaired by a Panel of Chairpersons' head Rehana Leghari, also addressed various written and supplementary questions from lawmakers. While responding to questions in the Sindh Assembly, Najmi Alam acknowledged widespread encroachments on drains and water lines. He reported that three employees were dismissed for issuing illegal leases. Responding to MQM member Quratul Ain's question, he said the department has records of slums registered until 2011. Alam highlighted the major issue of illegal construction in slums, mentioning that even the posh Clifton locality has three slum settlements. The government has formed a demolition squad All through the slums, streets would be widened by 10 feet any other structure on the streets would be razed. Answering MQM's Fauzia Hameed, he explained that property ownership is thoroughly verified, maps are prepared, and drone imagery is used before leases are granted.
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH: Joburg residents weigh in on draft informal settlements policy
The City of Johannesburg's Human Settlements Department held a public participation process on the Draft Informal Settlements Policy at the South Rand Recreation Centre, Welfare Park, on April 23. The aim was to get the public's input to guide the city on how to address service delivery, upgrading projects and long-term development in and around the community. It was a chance to be heard and influence decisions directly impacting the residents' future in these informal settlements. MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, addressed the public, stating some challenges and how the policy would help pave the way forward. 'In this draft policy, we want to address some of the challenges you face as residents of these informal settlements – how we provide basic services, how we co-ordinate the entities in providing the services and how we manage the informal settlements in Johannesburg. 'We have more than 352 informal settlements in Johannesburg and have yet to formalise the first informal settlement. In that process, we encountered challenges because you can come to an informal settlement and find out they have 300 households or shacks. Then you plan. When you go back with the budget, they are now 700. You then have to go back again and re-adjust your plan,' he said. He said this makes it difficult to work. The policy looks at how to deal with situations when informal settlements are on undeveloped land, wetlands and privately owned land. 'In the informal settlements are people who own multiple shacks, people who own shacks in different informal settlements, and others living somewhere else but renting out shacks they own. They illegally sell electricity and water, while others take the communal taps and put them in their yards. 'We are developing this policy because we want a co-ordinated way of addressing these issues. If we don't deal with these issues, the informal settlements will grow in Johannesburg, and we will not formalise them because of these challenges. 'We've also realised that our co-ordination for providing basic services in the informal settlements is unco-ordinated. Johannesburg Water does its own thing when it goes to the informal settlement, and City Power also comes in without considering the formalisation process. That is why some informal settlements are unelectrified,' explained Mabaso. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH: City of Joburg consults public on draft policy for informal settlements
The City of Johannesburg's Human Settlements Department held a public participation process on the Draft Informal Settlements Policy at the South Rand Recreation Centre, Welfare Park, on April 23. The aim was to get the public's input to guide the city on how to address service delivery, upgrading projects and long-term development in and around the community. It was a chance to be heard and influence decisions directly impacting the residents' future in these informal settlements. MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, addressed the public, stating some challenges and how the policy would help pave the way forward. 'In this draft policy, we want to address some of the challenges you face as residents of these informal settlements – how we provide basic services, how we co-ordinate the entities in providing the services and how we manage the informal settlements in Johannesburg. 'We have more than 352 informal settlements in Johannesburg and have yet to formalise the first informal settlement. In that process, we encountered challenges because you can come to an informal settlement and find out they have 300 households or shacks. Then you plan. When you go back with the budget, they are now 700. You then have to go back again and re-adjust your plan,' he said. He said this makes it difficult to work. The policy looks at how to deal with situations when informal settlements are on undeveloped land, wetlands and privately owned land. 'In the informal settlements are people who own multiple shacks, people who own shacks in different informal settlements, and others living somewhere else but renting out shacks they own. They illegally sell electricity and water, while others take the communal taps and put them in their yards. 'We are developing this policy because we want a co-ordinated way of addressing these issues. If we don't deal with these issues, the informal settlements will grow in Johannesburg, and we will not formalise them because of these challenges. 'We've also realised that our co-ordination for providing basic services in the informal settlements is unco-ordinated. Johannesburg Water does its own thing when it goes to the informal settlement, and City Power also comes in without considering the formalisation process. That is why some informal settlements are unelectrified,' explained Mabaso. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Eersterust residents receive title deeds
Residents in Eersterust received official documents for their homes during a delivery drive-by on Tuesday. According to MMC for Housing and Human Settlements Aaron Maluleka, residents can expect the issuing of more title deeds to beneficiaries as part of the ongoing commitment to support the community. This comes after Maluleka launched a drive-by delivery of title deeds initiative aimed at enhancing home ownership and property security in Eersterust. Spokesperson Melandré Frost said community leaders and residents celebrated the milestone in property rights and housing stability as title deeds were delivered to five homes for the launch. 'This initiative not only reflects the metro's dedication to improving homeownership within the Eersterust area but also aims to educate residents about the legal responsibilities and rights associated with property ownership.' She said during the delivery Maluleka emphasised the importance of safekeeping title deeds, as they represent the legal ownership of property. 'It is crucial for homeowners to understand that losing or misplacing a title deed can result in significant costs, about R3 000 and can complicate property rights,' said Maluleka. He urged all homeowners to take proactive measures to protect their documents and highlighted the significance of the law of succession, reinforcing the need for residents to draft valid wills. 'Having a legally binding will ensures that your property is passed on according to your wishes. This protects your legacy and secures the future of your loved ones,' he explained. Frost said Maluleka further addressed the importance of homeowners insuring their properties against potential natural disasters. 'He advised residents that it is essential to protect the structure of their home with a reputable insurance company because such measures are crucial for safeguarding one's investment and providing peace of mind in uncertain times.' She concluded that more title deeds will be available for collection at the Human Settlements Department offices in various regions, with additional opportunities to receive title deeds during public meetings scheduled soon. Local ward councillor, Benjamin Lawrence expressed gratitude on behalf of the community and emphasised the importance of bringing dignity to the residents of Eersterust. 'Some residents have been in their homes with no official documentation for many years, I am very happy for this initiative by the metro.' He said Eersterust councillors hope to continue working with the metro to restore the dignity of the residents. 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!
