Thursday, March 29, 2007

Western Cape faces yet another housing debacle

The Western Cape is facing yet another housing debacle. Farmworkers from a town nearby Franshhoek are refusing to move into homes built especially for them. They say the homes are of a poor quality.

Anglo-American Farms is disputing this, saying the housing development has received international recognition. Last year the project won the Southern African Housing Foundation’s Special Merit Award.

Hundreds of families have already moved in but 20 remaining families are refusing to move in. Their reasons include cracked walls, weak ceilings, exposed electrical wires, poor foundations, and roofs that fly off when the wind blows.

While the workers cite a list of reasons for their unhappiness, Anglo American Farms say they are very proud of the project though they will have to address these concerns. Don Tooth, the managing director of Anglo American Farms, says the situation has to be investigated.

The Cape Winelands District Municipality also says it wants to convene a meeting with the stakeholders to verify its contractual obligations. - SABC

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