- The anticipated groundbreaking of Hangberg Phase 2 Housing Project hangs in the balance following a slew of suspensions and lay-offs in the City’s human settlements department over the past few weeks, including that of Duke Gumede, leading the Hangberg project.
- A member of the Project Steering Community (PSC) and community activist Roscoe Jacobs from Hout Bay told People’s Post the City of Cape Town human settlements department failed to communicate the suspension of Gumede, housing official leading the Hangberg Phase 2 Housing Project, to the PSC and community.
- This, as reported by News24, followed the City of Cape Town’s director of public housing’s dismissal after being accused of colluding with the “construction mafia”.
The anticipated groundbreaking of Hangberg Phase 2 Housing Project hangs in the balance following a slew of suspensions and lay-offs in the City’s human settlements department over the past few weeks, including that of Duke Gumede, leading the Hangberg project.
A member of the Project Steering Community (PSC) and community activist Roscoe Jacobs from Hout Bay told People’s Post the City of Cape Town human settlements department failed to communicate the suspension of Gumede, housing official leading the Hangberg Phase 2 Housing Project, to the PSC and community.
This, as reported by News24, followed the City of Cape Town’s director of public housing’s dismissal after being accused of colluding with the “construction mafia”.
Two other staff members have also been suspended for serious misconduct.
The City also dismissed a high-ranking official allegedly accused of colluding with the construction mafia and underworld figures.
Director of public housing Sipokazi September has been dismissed after being found guilty during a disciplinary hearing.
City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo told News24 September was charged in a disciplinary process and dismissed on Tuesday 9 January.
Locally, Jacobs condemns the City’s failure to inform the PSC of its decision to suspend Gumede. He believes the suspension further delays and has impacted the Hangberg Phase 2 Housing Project.
“The Mayco member for human settlements Carl Joshua Pophaim and Ward 74 Councillor Rob Quintas committed to a meeting in October last year and to date no date for meeting has been communicated. There is no clarity as to how the decision to suspend Gumede will affect the housing project moving forward,” argued Jacobs.
He demands an urgent PSC meeting to address this matter and get a clear and decisive way forward that will result in the break of ground of Hangberg Phase 2 Housing Project.
Pophaim, Mayco member for human settlements, responded to People’s Post, saying: “The City can confirm that [Gumede] is currently suspended while allegations are being further investigated… The suspension will not have an impact on the delivery on Hangberg Phase 2. The City will communicate with the PSC in due course.”
He explained that the project team has been tasked with reviewing the site conditions and presenting further development options that are in line with national grant funding guidelines.
- In an unrelated press release the City advises residents to phone one number for all development related queries. The City has launched a new one-stop number for all building plan and development related queries.
“[This number] is the one to use from now on, regardless of the nature of your query – be it a building plan submission, a land use application, or any other matter related to development,” said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews.
Andrews went on to say “it does not matter in which planning district the application falls, or where in Cape Town you live, the number to call is: 021 401 4702. Save it, use it, and pass it on to your friends, family, and colleagues.”
- The Contact Hub agents handling development related queries are available Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 16:00. They will assist or escalate your query to an official if the matter cannot be resolved over the phone.
