Johannesburg – The Johannesburg and Westonaria municipalities have started talking about the transfer of land for housing development, Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said on Wednesday.

“While we acknowledge the concern that residents have in Westonaria, particularly those from Waterworks and Bekkersdal… we cannot tolerate anarchy, and those who break the law will be dealt with by the law enforcement agencies,” Mekgwe said in a statement.

“Our democracy allows for meaningful and constructive engagement through platforms such as ward committees, community development workers, petitions, [and] imbizos where people can freely air their concerns.”

She was responding to demands made by residents who protested on Wednesday morning.

More than 100 protesters were arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property after Waterworks informal settlement dwellers clashed with the police, Soweto police said.

Mekgwe said the residents had been protesting about a delay, by the Westonaria municipality, in relocating them to Seyerfontein, and other service delivery issues.

Seyerfontein is vacant land which can accommodate 28 000 units and belongs to the City of Johannesburg, but is located within Westonaria’s boundaries.

Mekgwe condemned the use of violence during the protest and said people could not blockade roads and burn tyres every time they were unhappy about services.

She met the mayors of the West Rand district municipality, the Westonaria local municipality and the City of Johannesburg to try and resolve the problem.

– SAPA