Province cautions Bitou against being economical with truth on housing
There has been finger-pointing between Bitou Municipality and the Western Cape Human Settlements department over a housing project underway in Qolweni, following protest action by disgruntled Plettenberg Bay residents last week – YOLANDE STANDER reports
THE riots led to the national road at Qolweni near the CBD being closed after protesters burnt tyres on the road and pelted passing vehicles with rocks throughout Tuesday night September 22 and during Wednesday morning.
The unrest finally ended following a meeting between Bitou deputy mayor Sandiso Gcabayi and Qolweni residents on Wednesday afternoon.
“These protests were largely due to the housing development in Ward 3.
The members of the community raised a concern that they are not informed about the progress of this project.
“They were not happy that the project seems to happen at a very slow pace,” municipal spokesman Andile Namntu said.
During the meeting with the residents, Gcabayi gave a full update on the progress of the project and indicated that the tender process to appoint a contractor was in its final stages.
“It is only for the Western Cape provincial department of Human Settlements to give the go-ahead in terms of budget.”
However, WC departmental spokesman Marcellino Martin said that this was not the case.
“The statement by Bitou Municipality, that they are waiting on the provincial department of Human Settlements to give the go-ahead in terms of budget for this project, is false.
“We can categorically state that on September 18, we received email correspondence from Bitou Municipality where advice was sought. An internal departmental meeting was convened and on September 23, after due consideration, we replied via email to the municipality.
“It is also critical to note that it is the local authority’s responsibility to regularly keep its residents informed with facts, and to never be economical with the truth,” Martin said.
Bitou is set to provide further feedback to the community this week.
Garden Route Media – As this edition went to print, the N2 had just been reopened alter yet another night of riots that necessitated the closure of the highway near Qolweni.
Source: CX-press News