Mid Term Report - Gauteng Online

In the context of ongoing housing programmes, prioritiesinclude the initiative to formalise and eradicateinformal settlements and upgrade backyard shacks,the transfer of ownership of houses in key areas andthe finalisation of the inclusionary housing policy. Theeradication of any remaining bucket systems andthe provision of decent water and sanitation facilitiesshould be fast-tracked.Provincial disaster managementSince 2004 the provincial government has developeda provincial disaster management frameworkand systems and has undertaken extensive preparationsfor the establishment of a Provincial DisasterManagement Center, which will be located inMidrand. Phase one of the centre will be completedin March 2007 and it is expected to be fully operationalby August 2007.The provincial government also initiated a programmeaimed at assisting all district municipalitiesin complying with the Disaster Management Act byMarch 2007, including the establishment of municipaldisaster management frameworks, plans anddistrict disaster management centers.Priorities aheadFighting poverty and building safe, secure and sustainablecommunities will require the implementationof a range of strategies, including the implementationof the Gauteng Social Development Strategy. Otherpriorities in the period to 2009 are outlined below.Human settlementA key priority in the second decade of freedom to2014 is continuing to reverse apartheid settlementpatterns and building dynamic, safe and sustainablecommunities. This will be achieved by promotingmixed income settlements as well as implementingthe urban renewal programmes across the province,particularly in the 20 prioritised townships identifiedabove.SafetyAmong the key priorities in building safe and securecommunities across Gauteng will be ensuring theeffective implementation of the Gauteng SafetyStrategy and Gauteng Road Safety Strategy. Thiswill include the implementation of practical steps toreduce crime such as improved case management,the targetting of organised crime and promotingthe mobilisation of all available resources in thefight against crime. Crucial in this regard are thefollowing:• the establishment of an intergovernmental anticrimecoordinating structure• co-ordinated action by the SA Police Services,the metro police and the private sector• the building of a broad-based social movementagainst crime.Work to address the conditions that breed socialcrime such as the abuse of women and childrenneeds to be intensified. Issues such as lighting andthe environmental design of communities needs to beaddressed in this regard.Poor and marginalised communities are often worstaffected by crime. It is therefore essential to ensurean equitable provision of policing and other servicesthat contribute to crime reduction.Government and society in general need to inculcatea culture of respect for the law and a zero toleranceapproach to crime in all its forms.EPWPThe EPWP programme must be upscaled, particularlyin the social, environmental and economic developmentsectors, to create jobs and expand delivery.EPWP projects should include beautifying the environmentin the 20 identified townships, home-basedcare and early childhood development.The environmentIn protecting the environment, the correct balanceneeds to be achieved between promoting developmentto address the needs of the people of Gautengwhile minimising negative environmental impacts.In this regard, a key priority will be to finalise andimplement the Gauteng Strategy on SustainableDevelopment.Midterm Report - 2004/06 • 33