Cape Town - The Freedom Front (FF) Plus has rubbished claims that its objection to a proposed social housing development in George is fuelled by “racist principles”, saying that their concern is that the area will lose its property value.
The party, this week said it would not support the proposed development by Garden Route Mayor Memory Booysen, as it would make George “a target for low-cost housing in affluent neighbourhoods where the municipality collects its largest rates and taxes”.
Opposition parties have criticised the objection, describing it as “racism driven by a need to maintain an exclusive inner city for the privileged”.
Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI) national general Secretary in George Sunè Soonies said the FF Plus had cited “bizarre” reasons for their objection.
“Bizarre reasons cited by the FF as to why they are not in favour of these developments in town, are the supposed devaluation of adjacent properties and the overloaded sewerage system.
Social housing is a critical part of developing affordable housing models for many people in need of accommodation. This will also include rental stock where people will be able to rent a housing opportunity from the government.
“This is particularly welcome relief to people who do not qualify for RDP houses. It is utterly unacceptable and irresponsible to assume the value of property will fall when people of colour are living in a specific area. It is directly against the values of our democratic constitution whose intention is to establish a democratic, non-racial, free society,” said Soonies.
The FF Plus’ Gert van Niekerk, deputy mayor in the Garden Route District Municipality, said they could not support something that was not legitimate.
“This whole initiative is coming from the Garden Route District Municipality. The FF Plus is not against the development of social housing. We support it to the fullest extent.
But there is a Constitutional Court ruling which states that when you develop such a project in the vicinity of an already developed area and it might cause a decrease in the value of the already existing property then you cannot do it. The main thing is I cannot support something that appears to be illegitimate and that goes against the Constitution,” he said.
Van Niekerk said he understood the dire need for social housing, adding he had worked with all races in his political career. “We have poor people; white, brown and black in dire need of social housing. My wife and I are involved in various projects for the poorest of the poor. Then why would we still apply racist principles? I don’t see colour, I see people created by God. All I said was I was not going to support it.”
A decision like this would negatively affect our property values, traffic, water and sewerage networks, already under severe pressure,” he said.
Booysen said due processes will be followed, including public participation before a decision is made.
“It is immature to raise such issues now. We will follow due processes and we will communicate at each stage of public participation. The designers are also mindful of the fact that they need to enhance what is currently existing,” said Booysen.
Cape Times