The IFP’s City of Joburg MMC for Human Settlements Mlungisi Mabaso says his department will not use South African taxpayers’ money to provide services to informal settlements mainly occupied by foreign nationals.

“If it’s more than 10,000 foreign nationals, we take the money of South African taxpayers and go to service foreign nationals in informal settlements – I said that is not going to happen,” Mabaso said in a video circulating on social media.

“That will happen while there’s another MMC, because I will also not stay in these positions forever. I will be removed one day, and that’s when they will get the services – but not while I am still the MMC,” said Mabaso, who is also the IFP’s Youth Brigade national secretary. 

In the video, Mabaso can be seen doubling down on his stance, saying, “I am not going to service 10,000 foreign nationals. I am even saying that on record at this meeting.”

He argued that the city’s resources were already overstretched and being misused.

“Our resources are already stretched, and they are being wasted,” he said.

Mabaso further alleged that certain officials and law enforcement officials were exploiting the system by erecting structures in informal settlements and renting them out for profit.

“At informal settlements, we service tenants of certain leaders, including police officers, people who are employed by the government – the people who have money and qualify for bond houses, but come back to us to demand houses from us,” he said.

“That’s why we have many residents who have houses but claim they don’t have money. But we do understand that the unemployment rate is high in the country, and there are many people who are not working, sitting in informal settlements – and it’s hard to help them because it’s full of people who have the financial capabilities to provide for their families.”

Mabaso said that was the reason behind the growing number of double-storey structures in informal settlements.

“That’s why you find double-storey houses in informal settlements. People are not lazy to build rental double-storey houses and put tenants inside, and, on top of that, connect to the government services (referring to the city) illegally,” he added.

He also accused some employed individuals of choosing to live in informal settlements to avoid paying for basic services.

“The person is sitting somewhere else, he or she has money, a car, and comes and connects illegally for the service and doesn’t pay for it,” he said.

The City of Johannesburg has long battled the proliferation of informal settlements. 

The metro continues to struggle with widespread service delivery challenges, including water shortages, power outages, potholes, sewerage spills, crime, lawlessness, and uncollected waste.

Just like many metropolitan areas, Johannesburg attracts large numbers of people, including undocumented immigrants, seeking better economic opportunities. 

This results in the illegal occupation of land and the construction of unregulated dwellings, including illegal connections to municipal services such as water and electricity.

Speaking to IOL News, Mabaso’s spokesperson, Sibonelo Mtshali, confirmed the remarks were made during a meeting with leaders of the Freedom Park informal settlement at the city’s Braamfontein offices.

“Yes, I can confirm that the MMC had a meeting with the leadership of Freedom Park on Tuesday, where he reiterated that he would not provide services for undocumented foreigners in informal settlements across the city,” Mtshali said.

The meeting was intended to address service delivery challenges in the area.

“The MMC was just emphasising that he would not use South African taxpayers’ money to service foreign nationals – he is always saying this,” Mtshali added.

He declined to comment further on the broader issues surrounding informal settlements.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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