The preliminary inquiry on 4 December 2019, follows the public outreach engagement that the SAHRC’s Gauteng Office conducted on 24 June 2019, which revealed numerous socio-economic rights violations such as the lack of service delivery, lack of access to adequate housing and evictions in the region.

Housing an issue in Ekangala
It was said that community members are not consulted when anything new is started. So much so, that the municipality is unsure of where they are actually situated. 

“The community is not being consulted when development projects are being started, things like depots are being built around houses-and depreciating the value of their property without consent,” said Lucky Mahlangu. 
“Municipality and Province are still unclear on where they (we as the community of Ekangala) are allocated, whether it is Mpumalanga or Gauteng…and it shows when it comes to service delivery,” added Mahlangu. 
Scarce water and electricity in Ekangala
The preliminary inquiry heard that basic needs like electricity and water were scarce.

“Electricity supply in the farms is limited, however houses on the border of Mpumalanga get electricity… The City of Tshwane is not willing to give our people electricity,” said a frustrated Mahlangu.
“Communities go days without water, in the last 2days we haven’t had any water supply,” said Vusi Nkosi. 
Unemployment and no support
A large pool of unemployment without any other kind of support also plagues the regions.
“20% of residents in Ward 105 are unemployed and 32% are inactive in the area. Young people in Ekangala and Kugwini don’t have employment support,” said Dineo Siko.
The inquiry will reconvene in February 2020.

Source: The South African