SACP Gauteng PEC Press Statement

8 April 2013

SACP Gauteng calls for the immediate and urgent resolution of the Lenasia Housing Demolition Crisis

SACP Gauteng Province held a successful bilateral meeting with the Greater Lenasia Concerned Residents Committee (Committee) on Sunday, 07th April 2013 in Lenasia. Meeting analysed and assessed current status of the Lenasia intervention process and made proposals on the way forward.

Lack of progress

SACP is deeply disappointed and concerned that it is almost 5 months since the decision of the court that was made on the 23rd November 2012 directing the parties to the dispute to find an amicable solution and return back to court. SACP is deeply disappointed and shocked that the task team that was appointed to resolve this matter only met for the last time on the 18th January 2013. SACP congratulated the Committee for taking the initiative to ensure that meetings are convened and that a the next meeting of the task team will take place this Thursday, 11th April 2014 in Lenasia at 17h00.

We share the view of the Committee that the process of intervention on the demolition of houses was supposed to be handled and managed on an urgent basis, and that further delays on this matter constitute yet another act of continued violation of human rights. SACP shares the concern well expressed by the Committee that the people of Lenasia waited for far too long and that their patience is growing thinner day by day.

SACP noted the fact that the parties have not as yet reached an agreement on the fundamental and most important provisions of the proposed framework document that was drafted by government, whilst appreciating the fact that the Committee has accepted it in principle. We call on the parties to get to work and resolve outstanding issues as a matter of extreme urgency.

Proposed way forward.

SACP fully support and share the concerns of the Committee that the composition of the task team to resolve the matter constitute a legitimate area of concern, hence lack of progress on the matter. One of the issues noted by the SACP is the fact that the task team includes the same government officials that were directly involved and led the process of the demolition of houses. The task team also include the so called `legal residents` whose interest in the matter is yet to be established, and given the historic nature of the crisis, the high levels of corruption and the selective demolition of houses, whether any one at this early stage of the investigation can rightly claim to be a legal resident.

SACP fully support the view that the composition of the task team be reviewed without causing further delays on the matter. It is also important that the task team clarify the scope of its work, including the period that will be covered by the investigation. This is crucial to deal with the deep root cause and the historic nature of the problem, especially on land currently occupied by the ruling class, bourgeoisie and elite of Lenasia.

SACP calls on the parties to handle this matter on an urgent basis, and to set up a clear operational process preferably operating from Lenasia to ensure easy access and working a daily basis to deal with the individual cases of the affected working class and poor people. This is critical to finalise each case based on the point we made earlier in the process that this matter requires that each case be treated individually on its merits and unique circumstances.

We firmly believe that this will fast track the process and ensure that the working class and poor of Lenasia can have the comfort of their houses that were demolished in the most brutal, inhumane and insensitive manner.

SACP reaffirmed its view that those who were involved in acts of corruption on all sides, without fear or favour, be dealt with decisively. We reaffirmed the view that lawlessness, anarchy and corruption from all sides should not be tolerated.

SACP strongly condemns the bringing of charges against Mr Lazarus Baloyi, the Chairperson of the Committee by the Department of Education for his activities to defend the rights and plight of the people of Lenasia, and we strongly believe that charges levelled against him are politically motivated, and therefore constitute abuse of state institutions.

SACP will also seek an urgent meeting with the SA Human Rights Commission to discuss the implications of the continued delays on the matter and to explore possible solutions in this regard. We will also continue to engage our Alliance partners on this matter.

SACP will also request the opportunity to address the task team to raise its concerns about the negative impact this matter has on the poor and historically oppressed people and working class of Lenasia. We will also take the opportunity if afforded to present the proposal on the principle of operationalizing the process to give it the urgency it deserves.

Issued on behalf of the SACP Gauteng Province

Contact:

Mamabolo Jacob, Provincial Secretary, 082 884 1868
SACP Spokesperson: Lucian Segami: 079 522 0098