6 September 2006 JOBURG COMMITTED TO IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY The City of Johannesburg wishes to assure residents of Drieziek proper and Drieziek Extension 6 in Region G, South of Johannesburg that there is commitment on its part to improve service delivery. Demonstrations sparked by a perceived lack of service delivery occurred early today. Protestors blocked the Golden Highway with assortment of items including stones and burning tyres. The demonstrations are as a result of what the residents say is the slow delivery of housing and electricity. The City has since moved in to address members of the community about programmes and plans to develop the areas and install bulk infrastructure as well as build houses. Following a visit in this region about two weeks ago by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Amos Masondo, a meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm with the Community leaders to iron out the concerns raised by residents and to provide information on these programmes. In the current financial year, the City will be installing bulk infrastructure for sewer and water in three surrounding areas of Lawley Extension 3 & 4, Mountain View and Thulantwana. The Provincial Department of Housing is currently in a process of tendering for a comprehensive housing delivery for the areas of Drieziek Proper and Drieziek Extension 6 and are at the advance stage of the Township Establishment process. Eskom (the electricity distributor in the areas) has indicated that it has made an allocation in its budget for the current financial year to install electricity for the entire area. The City will be engaging Eskom tomorrow morning to discuss plans to fast track the installation of electricity. With an estimated 215 000 households living in informal settlements and backyard shacks, the City has a major task on its hands to provide adequate and quality housing for its residents. Council has adopted an ambitious housing master plan to create sustainable, affordable and safe housing opportunities for the city's indigent and homeless. This plan seeks to formalise all informal settlement in the City by 2009. For example, as part of Lehae "Greenfield" housing project, which seeks to do eradicate with several informal settlements in the South of the City - (Dlamini 1, 2 and 3, Eikenhof, Sundry smaller communities: Old Vista, Mshenguville, Orlando East, Orlando Park, St Mary’s and Kapok; and Thembelihle), more than 600 families have relocated from Thembelihle, Dlamini, Eikenhof and Mshenguville to their new homes As part of the Integrated development Plan (IDP) and the Budgeting process the city will continue to engage with communities in establishing priority areas and areas of concern. Ends Issued by: Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za