Municipal land sold illegally in Duduza

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

Duduza Block B - Land that belongs to Ekurhuleni Municipality has been sold illegally without following proper procedures. At least eight stands are allegedly sold illegally in Duduza Block B to several people by committee leaders in the area. According to our source, some of the people who bought the land illegally didn’t have identity documents. Others were residents from other townships who were not on a waiting list. In a WhatsApp recording presented to the Olifants News as evidence, a community leader is heard confirming the sale of pieces of land.

A man on the recording addressed the community by stating: “There was a meeting here, and we reported the available places. You said no one should receive a stand for free. That was a mandate from this community. Afterwards, we discussed how much each person should pay to get a place and asked committee leaders. Because the leadership I was working with is used to selling, the committee suggested that each place be sold for

R25,000,” he said. According to the man on the recording, they realised that not everyone in the Duduza settlement could afford to fork out R25,000. Then they agreed that at least each stand should be sold for R5,000.

“You can see rocks on this road, so we wanted to fix it with that money. But the entire Duduza says we sold eight stands for R160,000,” he added.

According to community leader David Mabitsela, tenants were among those charged for getting a piece.

“Tenants were charged to erect shacks and get electricity. Why do people outside Duduza always benefit while the real beneficiaries do not? Some of the people in Duduza have been waiting for houses for years. I have reported this issue to the ward councillor, who has promised to report to the municipality and ward committee meeting and get back to me. His office has never intervened in this matter as an urgent matter to discuss,” said Mabitsela.

Mabitsela said he contacted the ward councillor of ward 102 on 10 May 2022 to inform him about the sale of a piece of land by the steering committee.

“Residents who have been living in

Duduza north since 1995 have been ignored because the steering committee for Electricity demanded R1500 for Block B residents to be included as beneficiaries. And they have been forced to recognise the office that the councillor created in Duduza,” he added.

The ward councillor of ward 102, Solomon Madimetja Mabye confirmed that there was an issue with stands that were sold illegally. “Those who are affected should report this to the police. Our complaint will be lodged with the SIU and other relevant departments before we go to the SAPS.” said Maybe. He said those who were affected should open a case with Ivory Park police station “Another issue I need to clarify is if there’s any illegal sale, it should be stated clearly that it is an illegal sale of pieces of land and not stands, as stands are formalised. Even with allocated stand numbers and registered with the municipal authority,” he added. Selling municipal land without following the proper procedures is deemed illegal. Residents of Thembisa are cautioned not to buy or sell municipal land illegally.

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