THE controversial Zanemvula settlement project is again in the spotlight following allegations by the municipality that government- appointed private housing developer Thubelisha, which took over the project, does not have the capacity to run it.
Sources in the provincial housing department confirm that they have “queried” the competence and capacity of Thubelisha to deliver on the Zanemvula project.
Zanemvula (“bring the rain”) is a R1-billion project initiated by the national housing department to relocate people living in the floodplains of Veeplaas and Soweto- on-Sea to the safer Chatty 3 and 4.
Thubelisha has denied the allegations, saying the agreement which allowed them to take over the administration of the project was only signed last month.
Thubelisha says it is on track, and that delays have also been caused by a lack of municipal co-operation, as officials were not happy that the project had been taken away from them.
Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is expected in Nelson Mandela Bay today to receive a joint progress report from Thubelisha and other stakeholders on the project.
In an interview at the weekend, Thubelisha Western and Eastern Cape regional manager Prince Xhanti Sigcawu said he was “shocked” by the allegations. “The agreement allowing us to take over the administration of the project was only signed at the end of last month.
“Thubelisha could not just take over the project without knowing its background, what work had been done and how the existing contracts were operating. Since the end of last month, we have performed well.
“For Zanemvula, we had to establish a special team solely to deal with this project and we are currently filling positions. We have a separate organogram for Zanemvula, totally independent from the Eastern Cape Thubelisha organogram,” Sigcawu said.
He said regular meetings were held with the municipality and with national and provincial government to discuss the project, but at no point was the issue of a lack of capacity raised.
He said the municipality provided funds for servicing the sites and the land, while the province funded the top structures.
“We need co-operation from everyone involved, and not to start pointing fingers.”
Sisulu took the project away from the municipality in August because of slow progress and handed it over to Thubelisha.
At the launch of the municipality‘s turnaround housing strategy recently, the housing and land committee was told about numerous implementation problems facing the project, among which were lack of capacity by Thubelisha.
Housing committee councillors expressed concern at the “confusion” within the implementation of the project.
It was agreed during the meeting that there should be a clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities between the government, province, Thubelisha and the municipality. - The Herald
Sources in the provincial housing department confirm that they have “queried” the competence and capacity of Thubelisha to deliver on the Zanemvula project.
Zanemvula (“bring the rain”) is a R1-billion project initiated by the national housing department to relocate people living in the floodplains of Veeplaas and Soweto- on-Sea to the safer Chatty 3 and 4.
Thubelisha has denied the allegations, saying the agreement which allowed them to take over the administration of the project was only signed last month.
Thubelisha says it is on track, and that delays have also been caused by a lack of municipal co-operation, as officials were not happy that the project had been taken away from them.
Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is expected in Nelson Mandela Bay today to receive a joint progress report from Thubelisha and other stakeholders on the project.
In an interview at the weekend, Thubelisha Western and Eastern Cape regional manager Prince Xhanti Sigcawu said he was “shocked” by the allegations. “The agreement allowing us to take over the administration of the project was only signed at the end of last month.
“Thubelisha could not just take over the project without knowing its background, what work had been done and how the existing contracts were operating. Since the end of last month, we have performed well.
“For Zanemvula, we had to establish a special team solely to deal with this project and we are currently filling positions. We have a separate organogram for Zanemvula, totally independent from the Eastern Cape Thubelisha organogram,” Sigcawu said.
He said regular meetings were held with the municipality and with national and provincial government to discuss the project, but at no point was the issue of a lack of capacity raised.
He said the municipality provided funds for servicing the sites and the land, while the province funded the top structures.
“We need co-operation from everyone involved, and not to start pointing fingers.”
Sisulu took the project away from the municipality in August because of slow progress and handed it over to Thubelisha.
At the launch of the municipality‘s turnaround housing strategy recently, the housing and land committee was told about numerous implementation problems facing the project, among which were lack of capacity by Thubelisha.
Housing committee councillors expressed concern at the “confusion” within the implementation of the project.
It was agreed during the meeting that there should be a clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities between the government, province, Thubelisha and the municipality. - The Herald
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