The Gauteng Provincial Legislature hosted a house sitting for Premier David Makhura and the Executive Council to answer questions.
Responding to questions tabled by the Democratic Alliance on e-tolls, Premier Makhura said the issue was referred to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“I have stated that the matter of E-tolls can only be resolved by national government. The president has set the deadline to the end of August for the final decision. As the provincial government, our decision remains unchanged. E-tolls have no future in our province. We will do whatever it takes to realise a future without e-tolls,” Makhura said.
Makhura also responded to questions about the Alexandra Renewal Programme (ARP), saying that in 2016, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City of Joburg signed a statement of intent with the two organisations representing the Alexandra property owners on how to pursue the ARP on terms that will satisfy the demands of property owners.
“Some of the options that the property owners were willing to explore include possible compensation for land, allocation of alternative land available outside Alexandra or a joint venture for high-density developments in Alexandra,” Makhura said.
The Premier established a Task Team that has been working with the councillors and the Alexandra property owners, following an appeal by the property owners in December 2018, seeking intervention on the implementation of the Statement of Intent. The Task Team has made progress with issuing title deeds for all uncontested properties. The Department of Human Settlements has appointed a conveyancer to finalise all matters relating to title deeds and issuance thereof.
