[ Home ]
[ Speeches & statements ]
Western Cape Department of Public Works to review the sale of public land
10 April 2008
MEC for Public Transport and Public Works, Marius Fransman last night committed his department to review the sale of public land in favour of affordable housing.
Mr Fransman made this undertaking in his response to questions at an Imbizo in Ravensmead last night. The Imbizo was also attended by Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Whitey Jacobs, Community Safety MEC, Leonard Ramatlakane, Heads of Department and senior managers.
About 600 Ravensmead residents packed the community hall to raise various issues of concern to them. Topping their list of grievances was housing, health, crime and the high unemployment rate.
Against this background, many residents complained bitterly about under-utilised school buildings, the Alswood High and Florida Primary Schools being cited as examples.
Ravensmead residents said they have written letters requesting MEC Fransman to allow them usage of the school buildings for their businesses but to no avail. MEC Fransman replied that the issue of empty school buildings is a matter of extreme importance and he will give it the urgent attention it deserves and that the submissions and proposals in this regard will be reviewed soon taking into account their concerns.
The day hospital/clinic at Ravensmead has no 24 hours emergency unit and is small to cope with the health needs of the community, the imbizo was told. Residents called on the Department of Health to upgrade the hospital to include a 24 hours emergency capacity.
Tygerberg Hospital, which is a five-minute drive from Ravensmead and therefore cheap to travel to, was not accessible to the community, the residents complained. Instead, the community is referred to Elsiesriver Clinic, which is a considerable distance and more expensive to travel to. They asked the Department of Health to address what they termed "unacceptable and unfair practice" of the hospital.
Enquiries:
Mandla Yeki
Cell: 079 511 2087
Issued by: Department of Transport and Public Works, Western Cape Provincial Government
10 April 2008