Gauteng Executive Council adopts a rapid land release approach to deal with the land question in the province

16 May 2018

The Gauteng Executive Council (EXCO) held a special meeting to deal with matters that need urgent government intervention in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 16 May 2018.

Rapid Land Release

The meeting discussed the recent spate of protests over housing and land invasions in the province. Gauteng faces the challenge of rapid urbanisation and in-migration, this places enormous pressure on housing delivery. Since the dawn of democracy, Gauteng has delivered over 1,2 million houses which translates into 30% of the housing stock delivered nationally. Despite this, the pressure remains. The provincial government has taken the decision to engage in a process of Rapid Land Release.

The land release plan in this regard, is aimed at prioritising the release of land and identifying land parcels currently being unused. 

The released land will address housing, economic, and social-cohesion needs. In this respect, land will be made available for people wanting to build houses for themselves, urban agriculture, township businesses, sports and recreational purposes. 

Premier David Makhura has decided to appoint a five-person team of MECs and Mayors who will help the provincial government to develop a plan for Rapid Land Release in response to the call by communities across the province. 

Composition of the Team

1.   MEC Uhuru Moiloa (Convenor)

2.   MEC Jacob Mamabolo

3.   MEC Lebogang Maile

4.   Executive Mayor Mzwandile Masina

5.   Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga

Mandate of the Team

The mandate of this team is to urgently develop a plan on rapid land release with specific timeframes.  The team needs to identify land parcels owned by local, provincial and national government which can be allocated to qualifying people for purposes outlined above.

Proper planning and designs will be necessary for the installation of bulk services on such land.

Electricity supply at Ncala Section in Katlehong

The Executive Council is utterly outraged at Eskom’s decision to cut electricity supply to Ncala Section, Katlehong in Ekurhuleni.  This arbitrary action by Eskom has resulted in serious consequences in the area leading to closure of schools, clinics and other public facilities as well as disruption of train services.

All schools in the area are without electricity despite paying their bills regularly and on time.

The community has appealed to Premier David Makhura to intervene.  The Executive Council resolved to institute urgent legal proceedings to force Eskom to restore electricity supply to the area.

Performance bonuses for the Department of Health employees

The Executive Council approved a proposal to resolve the dispute relating to the non-payment of performance bonuses at the Department of Health.  While mindful of the serious cashflow problems facing the department, the Executive Council acknowledged that employees expect payment of their performance bonuses in line with the Performance and Development Management System and the assessment process that has already been concluded.

The Executive Council has mandated the Sub-Committee on Health to table a reasonable proposal to the trade unions representing the employees in the Department of Health with a view of reaching a settlement on the matter.

Issued by Thabo Masebe, Head of Communications, Gauteng Government, 16 May 2018