The SAHRC recommended amongst others that the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality provides basic services to the residents in the interim, pending the upgrading of the settlement. The interim services to be provided to include: access to one chemical toilet per household, access to regular and reliable refuse removal service, and access to more water stand pipes within 200 meters walking distance from the nearest shack. The SAHRC also recommended that the municipality engages with the community on resettlement plans or relocation to an agreed formalised and well-developed area. Initially, the municipality dragged its feet in implementing the recommendations of the SAHRC.
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Commissioner Ameermia assess the situation in Sibuyile Informal Park
Commissioner Ameermia assess the situation in Sibuyile Informal Park
On 24 May 2015, during his provincial visit in the Free State Province, Commissioner Ameermia accompanied by the staff of the SAHRC conducted a site visit to Sibuyile Park Informal Settlement. This was a follow up from the visit conducted by Commissioner Ameermia in September 2015 where he met with community members of the informal settlement. The matter stems from an investigative report issued by the SAHRC where it found that inter alia, there was a violation of the right of residents to dignity; a clean environment; access to adequate housing; access to adequate water and sanitation; and access to information.
However, with the threat of litigation hanging over the municipality like a sword of Damocles, the municipality has made some progress towards the implementation of the recommendation made by the SAHRC. During the inspection in loco by the SAHRC, it was found that indeed there had been provision of portable toilets with the toilets being serviced and cleaned by a service provider once a week. Access to water had also been improved.
The community was appreciative of the intervention of the SAHRC which had at least resulted in an improvement in their lives towards a dignified life. However, the major sticking point has been the issue of relocation of the residents of Sibuyile informal settlement to a place they can call home. Commissioner Ameermia informed the residents that, “as the SAHRC we have approached the MEC for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms Sarah Mlamleli to say please do your best to fix this, and she had said she will prioritise the matter to remedy your living conditions”.
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