Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka.
Image: Supplied
The City of Tshwane has announced plans to relocate qualifying residents living in the dilapidated Central Hostel in Block H, Soshanguve, as part of a broader effort to address unsafe living conditions and prevent the continued illegal occupation of public property.
The announcement follows a visit by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, who, together with Ward 34 Councillor Sisi Sethole, met hostel leadership on Tuesday to discuss the deteriorating state of the facility and outline the City's proposed intervention.
The building, formerly occupied by Central High School, has been repeatedly invaded since the school closed and now houses more than 400 residents despite its severely deteriorated condition.
According to the City, qualifying occupants had previously been relocated to serviced stands through its housing programme, but the building was unlawfully occupied again, creating renewed safety and service delivery challenges.
Maluleka acknowledged the difficult circumstances facing residents but stressed that the municipality has a responsibility to balance housing needs with public safety.
"The condition of these buildings poses a significant risk to the people living here. Our responsibility is to provide qualifying residents with access to dignified housing opportunities while ensuring that public safety is not compromised," said Maluleka.
As part of the proposed intervention, the City plans to relocate qualifying residents to serviced stands through the normal housing allocation process, subject to available opportunities.
Once the relocation process has been completed, the vacated buildings will be demolished to prevent the site from being unlawfully occupied again. City officials believe the demolition will eliminate the safety hazards posed by the ageing structures while discouraging future invasions.
While the longer-term relocation process unfolds, the municipality has committed to improving basic service delivery for those who remain at the hostel.
"In the interim, MMC Maluleka committed the City to addressing rudimentary service delivery challenges to improve the living conditions of current occupants while long-term housing solutions are being pursued," the City said.
The MMC also used the engagement to warn residents across Tshwane against illegally occupying abandoned buildings and vacant land, saying such actions undermine the City's housing programmes, place additional strain on municipal resources and expose vulnerable people to dangerous living conditions.
"Illegal occupation of abandoned buildings not only places lives at risk but also hinders the City's efforts to deliver sustainable housing solutions. We urge residents to refrain from invading vacant properties and instead work with the City through lawful housing programmes so that we can address the housing backlog in a fair, orderly and sustainable manner," Maluleka said.
The City said it remains committed to working with affected communities and other stakeholders to develop sustainable human settlements, while emphasising that all housing interventions must be implemented within the framework of the law and available municipal resources.
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