Lesufi outlines plans to tackle Gauteng’s pressing challenges

The Gauteng government has given the assurance that it is tackling key issues including the relaunch of a major jobs program, to cracking down on illegal land grabs, and stabilising disputes in the taxi industry.

– Nasi Ispani programme to relaunch –

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, confirmed that the Nasi Ispani provincial jobs initiative will relaunch this Saturday, after its collapse in November last year.

He clarified that the program didn’t fail due to a lack of funds for salaries, but rather from administrative problems. Backed by a R50-million budget, the new phase will use schools as hubs where unemployed youth will help complete abandoned projects across the province.

– Province to demolish informal settlements to curb land grabs –

In a firm stance against land grabs, Premier Lesufi announced that the province plans to demolish over 400 new informal settlements.

Lesufi said many of these are run by organised crime syndicates, and warned that the practice of occupying land unlawfully will not be tolerated.

Despite Johannesburg’s housing backlog of up to 500,000 units, Lesufi stressed that illegal structures disrupt service delivery and entrench lawlessness.

– Talks with taxi industry continue –

Following last week’s strike that left commuters stranded in parts of Ekurhuleni, Lesufi said government is working with taxi associations to find lasting solutions to disputes in the sector.

Taxi drivers halted operations, protesting against the impoundment of taxis by the Transport Department.

Lesufi thanked Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, for their role in resolving the impasse. He also thanked the MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, for working closely with associations to prevent a prolonged shutdown.

The Premier emphasized that while government won’t interfere in the industry’s operations, lawlessness will not be tolerated.

To address the operating license crisis, the province will fast-track route verifications and registrations, and roll out the Ziveze Programme within two weeks, to address the operating licence crisis—focusing on associations most prone to conflict.

Lesufi also announced that the provincial government is plans to establish a political killings task team to investigate murder cases dating back to 2010.

The specialised unit, set to be launched within the next four weeks, will be tasked with investigating high-profile and politically sensitive cases in the province.

Written by : Lebohang Ndashe