Today, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) West Rand Mayoral Candidates took the plight of the region to the South African Human Rights Commission. We have lodged complaints with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) over the persistent water crisis in Merafong, and the municipalities failure to complete Mega Housing Projects across the region.
Additionally, it is essential that homelessness in Mogale City, in terms of special housing needs, is addressed.
Both access to water and adequate housing are basic human rights enshrined in the constitution.
Mogale City Mayoral Candidate, Ald Tyrone Gray, Merafong City Mayoral Candidate, Cllr Carlos Rebelo and Rand West City Mayoral Candidate, Jacques Julius handed over the complaints to the commission who received and acknowledged the complaint.
We are calling on the SAHRC to intervene with a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of these violations of human rights. We are expecting a prompt response from the commission with a seven-day deadline as to what they plan on doing.
The ANC is evidently unable to provide the most basic of human rights. They have left people across the West Rand behind.
The failures of mega housing projects are a classic example of ANC-governance. Residents face unsafe living conditions, sewage overflows, overcrowded transport, and a lack of schools, clinics, and police stations.
Most notably, allegations of financial mismanagement, maladministration, and possible corruption are believed to have contributed to delays and incomplete developments. Once more, pockets were lined, and residents were forgotten.
Projects such as Montrose, Affri-Village, and the Western Mega Housing are plagued by poor workmanship and structural defects.
The West Rand urgently needs accountable leadership, transparent governance, and proper planning to deliver safe and dignified communities. The DA will continue to apply pressure on the SAHRC and the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements to step up and fulfil their constitutional mandates of providing water and housing to the communities of West Rand. We will not relent.