On December 10, 2019, Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA, Lebogang Maile along with Minister of CoGTA, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, visited Mamelodi East to assess the impact and damages caused by heavy rains, which led to a significant number of families being displaced. Subsequently, on the eve of Christmas, another visit was undertaken by Premier David Makhura, to ascertain whether relief measures adopted by government were making an impact on the affected communities and families. During the aftermath of the floods, Gauteng provincial government initially activated its Provincial Disaster Management Centre together with Municipal Disaster Management Centres and Municipal Emergency Services to work around the clock to assist and evacuate affected residents and offer aid, including relocation. One of the priority interventions by government was to evacuate affected communities to safer places and avert any loss of life. Through this intervention a significant number of families were relocated to public facilities, including churches, police stations, community halls, as a temporary measure, whilst government was exploring other avenues to relocate the affected. The three spheres of government (City of Tshwane, Gauteng Provincial Government and National Government) through their respective executive authorities and accounting officers established an inter-governmental Joint Operation Centre (JOC) to consolidate a coordinated response and find a lasting solution for the affected communities. Relevant government departments and entities, such as Home Affairs, Social Development and the South African Social Services Agency, were brought on board to deal with issues of IDs, birth certificates, food parcels, blankets and other basic amenities. This intervention eased the immense burden imposed by floods on displaced families. Throughout this period, government has been consistently monitoring the situation and providing leadership and direction where challenges have arisen. One of the serious issues that the Gauteng government has been seized with, is the relocation of affected families into a new settlement area. A piece of land has been identified and needs to be acquired at market value, for purposes of relocating the affected families. The City of Tshwane (COT), through its Council, has a statutory duty to sit and approve the budget adjustment in this regard, something which sadly still hasn’t happened, causing unnecessary delays in the process. The City of Tshwane’s continuously collapsing council sittings have had a negative effect on our ability to resolve this issue speedily and with finality, as we cannot secure the land identified for relocation, without Council approval of the budget adjustment. Tshwane’s Executive Mayor, Cllr. Stevens Mokgalapa has committed to meeting with MEC Maile, in order to expedite the issue, so that the affected families can be relocated. The meeting between the Mayor and the MEC is expected to address all bureaucratic loopholes and red tape so that the affected can relocate as soon as possible. Lastly, a series of meetings will be held with the affected communities once all matters have been resolved within the various spheres of government. Contact: Castro Ngobese Spokesperson: MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA Mobile: 060 997 7790 Email: castro.ngobese@gauteng.gov.za