Alexandra Renewal Project to continue ‘like it or not,’ vows Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa, in his capacity as leader of the ANC, addressed a packed Alexandra Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

His visit follows a week-long protest in the area, where residents burned tyres and blocked roads voicing their dissatisfaction with the housing crisis and service delivery in Alex.

Speaking in seSotho, Ramaphosa said the Alex Renewal Project (ARP) would continue whether ‘”they liked it or not”.

Gauteng premier David Makhura said earlier in the week that the Auditor-General will be looking into the project to try and determine where the money went which was allocated to it.

“What I want to say is that the Alex Renewal Program will continue whether they like it or not, we will move forward with it. This will ensure that this place you stay in will be beautiful and better,” said Ramaphosa.

One of the residents’ main grievances is the issue of housing in the area, with concern over the “high influx of immigrants” in a congested area.

The residents also say that new shacks and homes continue to be erected along pavements.

The Democratic Alliance has attributed the protests to the failed ARP.

Close to R2 billion was allocated to the project, but the DA says the money was squandered by the then ANC-led government in the city.

Calls by the community of Alexandra to have Mayor Herman Mashaba come and explain to them about the housing crisis, have fallen on deaf ears.

Mashaba is adamant that he will address the community of Alex on Monday, almost two weeks since the start of the protests.

President Ramaphosa also appealed to Mashaba to address the community of Alexandra but those in attendance rejected the idea.

Ramaphosa requested Cooperative Governance Minister Zweli Mkhize, Small Business Minister Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Home Affairs Siyabonga Cwele and Housing Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo to address the needs of residents.

He assured the crowd that the ministers should report back to him by next week.