The proposed Enkanini human settlements upgrade project is expected to kick off in 2020. Progress has been delayed due to the illegal occupation of parts of the earmarked project land as well as challenges related to the temporary relocation of people to enable the sites to be cleared for the proposed project.

Following meetings on 9 and 13 January 2019 which were held between the relevant community members, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, and Ward Councillor Andile Lili, it was agreed that the illegally erected unoccupied structures on the earmarked land would be removed in order to get the development off the ground.

‘Many residents in the area have been patiently waiting for this kind of project for many years but work has been delayed as the City struggled to relocate those who had illegally occupied a piece of land required for the development. The hold-up has primarily been by a small group of people whose actions have impacted on thousands of people who have been waiting for a housing opportunity. We have a few examples of this happening across the metro. While we understand that the housing need is acute, we really have to start thinking of the bigger picture to ensure that we are able to provide a greater number of housing opportunities for our people. It is only through grassroots cooperation and partnership that we will be able to tackle the challenge of human settlements and ensure that the living conditions of our people in informal settlements and backyards are improved. A small group of dissenters with unknown agendas will not be allowed to stand in the way of such development – not here or elsewhere,’ said Councillor Booi.

The site of the proposed development will be cordoned off by the site preparation contractor and an official survey of residents legitimately residing permanently in Vosho informal settlement will be undertaken for the relocation process. Engagements will continue as the process moves forward.

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