7 July 2004 Press Release THERE ARE NO PLANS TO RELOCATE RESIDENTS FROM DIEPSLOOT The City of Johannesburg assures Diepsloot residents that there are no immediate or future plans to relocate them to Brits or anywhere else. The assurance follows sporadic acts of violence, which occurred yesterday in Diepsloot. Protestors set two council buildings on fire and attacked the local Councillors houses. The protest was sparked by an alleged Council's decision to relocate locals to Brits. When this rumour surfaced a week ago, Councillor Salphina Mulauzi convened a public meeting to discuss the matter and residents were assured that there were no plans to relocate them. During 2001, about 5000 families were relocated from the Alexandra Jukskei River banks to the adjacent Diepsloot Reception Area as part of the Alexandra Renewal Project. Most of these families were from Alexandra and had already been pre-screened by the Provincial government. Many were found not qualifying for housing subsidies for various reasons. Some of these individuals alleged that a provincial government official promised them that they would get housing in Diepsloot. At that time Council had already started a housing development project consisting of the township establishment, installation of services and the construction of 5 215 top structures for the people of Diepsloot. During December 2003, about 85 RDP houses in the area were illegally invaded by some of the non-qualifying families. In March this year Council obtained a court order to evict illegal occupants and evictions were carried on the 03 May 2004. The legitimate owners delayed to take occupation and this resulted in the second invasion on the same day. Council is currently in a process of ensuring that the rightful owners of these houses return to their property. According to the court order Council is not obliged to provide alternative accommodation for the illegal occupants. The government has already provided space for those evicted to erect an informal dwelling in the adjacent Reception Area, and the court accepted the Council's argument that the occupants should return to the Reception Area from where they originally came. It is regrettable that certain elements within the community are spreading misleading and false information, which has led to this potentially volatile situation. We condemn all acts of violence, intimidation and the spreading of misleading information. Continued dialogue is the only solution and residents are urged to liaise with local councillors and members of the ward committee. Currently order and calm has been restored in the area. The law enforcement agencies made up of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police and the South African Police Services are on standby for any eventuality. ENDS 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