Tensions ran high at the Gugulethu Sports Complex on Sunday when Local Government and Housing MEC Richard Dyantyi addressed a public meeting on the scale of corruption in the Peoples Housing Process (PHP).
The meeting was also attended by provincial government and City of Cape Town housing officials.
Dyantyi spoke about corruption in the PHP projects after receiving numerous complaints from beneficiaries.
He also spoke on the “burning issue” of backyard dwellers, which was a contentious topic at the meeting.
Focus its investigation on the failure of service providers
Dyantyi made a request to the Special Investigation Unit and Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions) in April, asking it to focus its investigation on the failure of service providers to comply with contractual requirements.
He also asked the Scorpions to investigate the unlawful and unauthorised payments, made by the accounts administrator, of state subsidies in the development of low cost housing.
Addressing the packed hall, Dyantyi said the problems in the PHP projects had been identified and were being investigated.
“It is clear that the problems (of corruption) are rooted here in government. That’s where everything begins,” said Dyantyi. “The money stolen runs to hundreds of thousands, it’s your money. But if you want to direct your weapons to someone, you must direct them to me.”
He said that at meetings held in a number of communities, people had protested about the slow pace of delivery.
They are all marching for the same reason
“Everyone is marching in Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Mfuleni and they are all marching for the same reason,” he said.
“At one meeting I was told by the people that we’re doing this for ourselves …, but then government comes and messes up everything.
“People have subsidies, but when they go to inquire at the housing offices, they are told that there are no more subsidies Why? Because ‘ooclever’ (swindlers) took it.”
The department is also to investigate allegations that a former ANC ward councillor took money from Mandela Park residents in return for houses.
The man, whose name is known to the Cape Times, allegedly took the money from more than 50 people and gave them receipts.
“Another problem is the constant changing of committees. Funds go missing. Where have you ever heard of loans in subsidy money? I’m talking about your leaders who march with you when you are marching,” said Dyantyi.
Gugulethu resident Ruby Twayi asked why beneficiaries had to account to committees.
“We’re living in pain. One has to be in good terms with these committees,” said Twayi.
Another affected PHP beneficiary, Nosiphiwo Matyeba, said: “Why do we join the PHP if we have to end up buying our own building material?”
On backyarders, Dyantyi said authorities had been biased toward shack dwellers.
“We also need to understand the anger of backyard dwellers. We must be balanced and not biased,” said Dyantyi.
Mncedisi Twalo, chairperson of the Gugulethu Backyard Dwellers, said there was “no truth” in what Dyantyi said.
“Dyantyi knows that, at the end of the month, people will be moving into the N2 Gateway but there are no criteria. The relevant people (to address these issues) are Helen Zille and Basil Davidson, not these puppets.”
Responding, Dyantyi said: “There is no Zille here. I called this meeting as housing MEC. You can’t go to a Zille meeting and call for Dyantyi.” - Cape Times
The meeting was also attended by provincial government and City of Cape Town housing officials.
Dyantyi spoke about corruption in the PHP projects after receiving numerous complaints from beneficiaries.
He also spoke on the “burning issue” of backyard dwellers, which was a contentious topic at the meeting.
Focus its investigation on the failure of service providers
Dyantyi made a request to the Special Investigation Unit and Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions) in April, asking it to focus its investigation on the failure of service providers to comply with contractual requirements.
He also asked the Scorpions to investigate the unlawful and unauthorised payments, made by the accounts administrator, of state subsidies in the development of low cost housing.
Addressing the packed hall, Dyantyi said the problems in the PHP projects had been identified and were being investigated.
“It is clear that the problems (of corruption) are rooted here in government. That’s where everything begins,” said Dyantyi. “The money stolen runs to hundreds of thousands, it’s your money. But if you want to direct your weapons to someone, you must direct them to me.”
He said that at meetings held in a number of communities, people had protested about the slow pace of delivery.
They are all marching for the same reason
“Everyone is marching in Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Mfuleni and they are all marching for the same reason,” he said.
“At one meeting I was told by the people that we’re doing this for ourselves …, but then government comes and messes up everything.
“People have subsidies, but when they go to inquire at the housing offices, they are told that there are no more subsidies Why? Because ‘ooclever’ (swindlers) took it.”
The department is also to investigate allegations that a former ANC ward councillor took money from Mandela Park residents in return for houses.
The man, whose name is known to the Cape Times, allegedly took the money from more than 50 people and gave them receipts.
“Another problem is the constant changing of committees. Funds go missing. Where have you ever heard of loans in subsidy money? I’m talking about your leaders who march with you when you are marching,” said Dyantyi.
Gugulethu resident Ruby Twayi asked why beneficiaries had to account to committees.
“We’re living in pain. One has to be in good terms with these committees,” said Twayi.
Another affected PHP beneficiary, Nosiphiwo Matyeba, said: “Why do we join the PHP if we have to end up buying our own building material?”
On backyarders, Dyantyi said authorities had been biased toward shack dwellers.
“We also need to understand the anger of backyard dwellers. We must be balanced and not biased,” said Dyantyi.
Mncedisi Twalo, chairperson of the Gugulethu Backyard Dwellers, said there was “no truth” in what Dyantyi said.
“Dyantyi knows that, at the end of the month, people will be moving into the N2 Gateway but there are no criteria. The relevant people (to address these issues) are Helen Zille and Basil Davidson, not these puppets.”
Responding, Dyantyi said: “There is no Zille here. I called this meeting as housing MEC. You can’t go to a Zille meeting and call for Dyantyi.” - Cape Times
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