Squatters demand services...

LEPHALALE - The informal settlement called Mma Mojela Park situated just outside Lephalale on the Stockpoort road has now grown to house around 2000 people. At a recent community policing forum meeting it was announced that residents have now formally applied for electricity, water and sanitation from the Lephalale Municipality.
At the meeting questions were raised by representatives of the farming community about the relocation of people from this site. They were told that residents will only move if the municipality provides them with alternative housing.
Concerns were also raised that the lack of sanitation at the settlement might lead to health problems in the area.
Northern News spoke to the Lephalale Mayor, Johanna Mojela about the settlement that was named after her. She is adamant that the people of Mma Mojela Park are there to stay.
Mojela refuted concerns that there is no proper sanitation at the settlement. “Water is available, even water for plants. The people there also have toilets. The only thing they do not have is electricity and this is only because it is still an informal settlement.
“Once the Municipality formalises this settlement, will they have electricity. At this point, the municipality is working to make it a formal settlement, along with the other informal settlements such as Steve Biko (Shongoane) and Lesedi Tshukudu (Steenbokpan) informal settlements.”
The mayor informed Northern News that the water is supplied to these people by a local farmer and mentioned that Mma Mojela Park has a proper committee in place that takes care of the area. “There are no shebeens or bottle stores at Mma Mojela park and the CPF forum there makes sure that the community is well taken care of at all times. They monitor the place and will continue to do so to keep the settlement as decent as it currently is”, added Mojela
A community representative of Mma Mojela Park told Northern News on Tuesday that the settlement has come about because of the lack of housing for people with lower income. “We want the town’s residential area to be integrated with low cost housing so that everyone can benefit from infrastructure in town. We as a community will engage with government to give us more land so that people can live close to town and their places of work.”