R15m Randfontein housing project failed

Posted on by Listify Me

However, in turn of events, Doctor Nkosi, a delegate from the department of local government and human settlement told the impatient community that the Mandela day will be utilised to refurbish the vandalised houses so that the process of house allocation can begin afterwards.

Earlier this year the area was engulfed in flames when the community went on the rampage in the area because of service delivery and provision of housing in the area.

About 200 RDP houses have become a haven for drug users and vandals. When the Times visited the area, window frames were removed, broken glass and used condoms strewn about and plumbing destroyed.

One woman whose name she didn’t want published said she paid R494 after which she was issued with a receipt and was told that she would get the RDP house once they were finished.

“If you don’t pay the amount, your name gets pushed down on the list of people who should get those houses. I paid because I was desperate for a house and was told that the amount was for water and electricity,” she said

The contractor’s spokesperson who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of victimization said they do not allocate houses, they are contracted to build them.

“The duty of the allocation of houses lies with the Department of Local Government and Housing. We don’t know what the delay is as well,” the site manager said

Local government and housing spokesperson Motsamai Motlhaolwa said the department is aware of the problem in the area.

He said the problem is the connection to sewer networks and vandalism

“We are looking into repairing the vandalized houses so that they can be habitable. Delays in the project are receiving our urgent attention,” Motlhaolwa said.

Randfontein municipal spokesperson Lucky Chiya said the municipality’s job is to provide basic services like water and electricity and placing people into houses is the province’s job.

However, in the community newspaper in the area Randfontein Herald, he was quoted as saying, “People need to be aware that they should have applied for houses and be listed on the demand database for housing prior to receiving houses.”

One community member Robert Masibi said the community is fed up with all the duck and diving by the municipality.

“We as the community are giving the municipality seven days to give people their houses otherwise we will fight to the bitter end. We’ll start burning ward councillor’s houses and end up at the municipal offices,” Masibi added.