Sunday, May 14, 2006

Cape shack dwellers face miserable winter

More than 3 000 houses are standing incomplete in Khayelitsha for almost six years now, and with the wet and cold Western Cape winter season already here, scores of shack dwellers’ hopes are dashed.

Government has been channelling funds through community projects to see to housing needs. But community members disliked the small, matchbox-like houses. They have decided to establish a single fund from government subsidies and personal funds. Now funds have been misappropriated and corruption abounds.

Many houses commissioned in the late 1990s under different projects are still half-done. Most of the unfinished houses are now being vandalised.

Government to assist the afflicted
Richard Qubudile Dyantyi, the Western Cape housing MEC, says besides the legal interventions that have been instituted, his department will help those who have been victims of fraudulent contractors.

Over this weekend, Dyantyi will be accompanied by his department officials, councillors and officials from the city of Cape Town to meet communities from Guguletu, Nyanga, Phillipi and backyard dwellers to address matters related to housing in general. - SABC

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