 | Rooiland: Unlawful remains unlawfulDrakenstein Municipality wants to make it very clear that we will not be legalising any unlawful actions. Rooiland in Paarl East is an open municipal space and we will not be allowing the erection of any illegal structures in this area.
16 February 2023 | Press Releases |
Drakenstein Municipality wants to make it very clear that we will not be legalising any unlawful actions. Rooiland in Paarl East is an open municipal space and we will not be allowing the erection of any illegal structures in this area, or in any other area in Drakenstein.
We find it utterly disappointing that certain individuals and even a political party are fabricating and spreading lies about what exactly transpired over three days at Rooiland (Saturday, 4 February 2023, Sunday, 5 February 2023, and ultimately on Tuesday, 7 February 2023). They clearly suffer from a selective memory of events and are deliberately instigating people to act illegally – much to the detriment of these affected community members. It is clear that there are different groupings around the Rooiland site and that there is conflict in the community.
Let us set the record straight once more. The Executive Mayor, City Manager and other senior representatives of the Municipality met on Thursday, 9 February 2023, with representatives (which amongst others included Marthinus Gouws and Brandon Jacobs as the coordinators) of the people whose illegal structures were demolished at Rooiland last week – following complaints of the adjacent community.
At this meeting the Municipality offered to arrange for short-term overnight accommodation, blankets and food for the 14 families who were affected, but to our surprise we were assured that – except for food – this help was not required because one of the “committee members", Mr Jacobs, indicated that he had more than enough accommodation to host them. We also made it clear that the affected families may collect the remaining parts of their demolished structures from the Municipality within seven days.
The Municipality further asked the group to provide us with the names of the occupants of the first five structures so that we can meet with each family individually, ascertain their background and needs, and discuss how the Municipality could possibly assist them. Consensus was reached and the “committee" of Mr Gouws committed that the group would provide these details, but to date, we have not received the list of names.
The Municipality did not promise or commit to provide the 14 families with housing starter kits to once more erect illegal structures at Rooiland. This will not be allowed.
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Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
