Govt must urgently act against mushrooming informal settlements, says acting GP MEC Maile

JOHANNESBURG - The acting Human Settlements MEC in Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, has emphasised the urgent need for the government to take strong action against the rapid growth of unauthorised informal settlements.

On Monday, Maile spoke from the scene of a massive fire that ravaged the Cemetery View informal settlement in Pretoria East over the weekend.

One person was killed in the blaze, and 2,600 more have been displaced after their homes were reduced to ashes.

Maile said informal settlements are a safety hazard.

"This informal settlement started in 2015 or so, and when it started, there were not so many people. 

“You don’t even have passages to move in if there’s a fire or emergency. So, it’s actually hazardous and uninhabitable and not desirable for people to live like this."