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The City of Johannesburg (COJ) has proceeded with the irresponsible extension of Jumpers Informal Settlement despite clear objections from concerned Cleveland residents, local businesses, and surrounding communities, and in the absence of sufficient bulk water and electricity capacity to support this project.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has consistently warned that expanding or formalising settlements across the province without adequate infrastructure undermines human dignity, creates unsafe living conditions, and puts private properties and businesses in the surrounding communities at risk. The City has ignored these warnings, opting for a path that will escalate informal and illegal occupation and create a deepening social housing crisis.

Equally concerning is the City’s failure to communicate its plans to the ward councillor, affected residents, or business owners. As a result, businesses have already begun leaving Cleveland, destroying the local economy and jobs - a direct consequence of poor and exclusionary decision-making.

The DA will write to the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements and the City of Johannesburg, calling for an immediate halt to all further construction until all planning processes have been fully reviewed and all affected parties’ voices are heard.

Only the DA can resolve Gauteng's housing crisis by fast-tracking the formalisation of informal settlements with appropriate upgrades and services, while striking a balance between housing needs and creating a conducive environment for businesses and communities to thrive. United with communities, yes, this can be done!

Issued by Mervyn Cirota MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements