Urgent investigation into the controversial transfer of Diepkloof Hostel
Two people died during a protest by Diepkloof Hostel dwellers over its ownership and lack of housing. The City of Johannesburg has promised to investigate the unauthorised transfer of ownership.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Part of the overcrowded Diepkloof Hostel in Soweto was transferred to a private owner in June 2023, which sparked the protests that left two people dead this week.
On Monday, hostel dwellers took to the streets during a protest in which they demanded houses and expressed their unhappiness with the private ownership of the property.
City of Johannesburg Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso said the Diepkloof Hostel was not sold.
“It was transferred without the authorisation from the council. The hostel was subdivided into a portion owned by the city and the other portion is privately owned,” said Mabaso.
He said this week’s protest was about the ownership of the hostel.
In response to the protest, the City of Johannesburg announced that it would conduct a forensic investigation to determine who authorised the sale of the Diepkloof Hostel without the knowledge of the council and senior officials.
According to Mabaso, he has asked Mayor Dada Morero to allow the municipality to no longer discuss the matter internally with officials.
“We need to institute a full forensic investigation to determine who within the municipality authorised this deal,” he said.
Mabaso added that municipal regulations require council approval for any transfer of municipal land in the City of Johannesburg.
“I have served as a councillor for nine years, and I have never seen a council resolution approving the transfer of the Diepkloof Hostel land. This suggests the transfer was unauthorised. Some names have been mentioned, but we want a formal investigation to determine exactly who was responsible,” he said.
Mabaso continued: “One of the signatories to this questionable transaction is not even a director, but a manager. I want to know who gave themselves the power to transfer municipal land while residents were still occupying it.”
He said his department only became aware of the land transfer when attempts to demolish structures to pave the way for a new development project were made.
Mabaso has promised residents that he will return with Johannesburg Water in July this year to introduce a contractor to begin work despite the contested transfer of land into private ownership.
In addition, he has instructed officials to approach the courts to lift the interdict currently blocking the development, and stated that he would not engage in discussions with what he referred to as the “alleged private owner”.
City of Johannesburg Economic Development MMC Nomoya Mnisi also had an urgent meeting with community leaders from the hostel on Tuesday to discuss the challenges they face.
loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za