Media statement 21 September 2023
Cllr Ofentse Madzebatela
MMC for Human Settlements
I wish to convey my sympathies to the community of Kameeldrift in Region 5 who have been affected by a fire that burnt down 95 shacks, affecting 217 people in the process.
The City has availed Kameeldrift Hall as alternative accommodation for women and children, while the local church will accommodate men. Our Disaster Risk Management Section will provide the affected residents with mattresses.
We would like to thank the Seventh-day Adventist Church for preparing food for the victims of the fire.
Regarding the relocating informal settlements in the area to ensure the provision of dignified human settlements in the area, the City has made the following developments:
- A service provider was appointed in October 2019 for township establishment and the approved general plan on the proposed township Kameeldrift Ext 42 situated on Portions 178, 179 and 1011 to 1016 of the farm Kameeldrift 298-JR. All feasibility studies were completed, and the township establishment application was submitted in November 2020.
- The application was then circulated for internal and external stakeholder comments. The application was advertised, and no objections were received. An amended layout plan was submitted in March 2023 to include amendments that certain stakeholder departments required on the township layout plan.
- The township establishment application is at an advanced stage. The service provider is currently sourcing the last outstanding positive comments on the township. The City is also waiting for the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) to announce its decision on the Section24(G) application. The township establishment application can be finalised for approval as soon as these outstanding issues have been resolved.
- Furthermore, the City also appointed a service provider in May 2022 for township establishment and the approved general plan on the proposed township Kameeldrift Ext 37 situated on Portions 174 and 175 of the farm Kameeldrift 298-JR.
- The City has issued the service provider with a power of attorney and the service provider is currently busy with the compilation of feasibility studies. A draft layout plan has been compiled by the service provider. The service provider is, however, awaiting SANRAL’s input on the realignment of the intersection of PWV 2 with Moloto Road. The township application can be submitted as soon as this issue has been resolved.
We intend to commence with the allocation of stands in the current financial year (2023/24) based on the final draft layout with all positive comments and the final position of GDARD.
We will liaise with GDARD to fast-track the outstanding processes so that we can finalise the relocation.
Victims of the fire will continue to receive the necessary support from the City.
Media enquiries:
MMC Ofentse Madzebatela