Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Call to probe housing row

WESTERN Cape MEC for human settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela visited Eerste Rivier for a random inspection of houses in the Our Pride Housing Project.

This follows allegations that some people had attained houses through corrupt means, insinuating that the people who were staying in the houses were not the intended beneficiaries.

According to concerned residents, about 56 houses out of 940 - which were built as part of the project - were not given to the rightful beneficiaries.

Madikizela said: "I will ask the police's special investigating unit to probe the matter. We are not accusing anyone, but we want to find out who has done wrong.

"We have heard that some of the beneficiaries had applied in the late 1980s.

"This means they may have been between 14 or 15 years old when they applied. People of that age do not qualify.

"So, how did they get onto the (waiting) list?

"My assumption is that some people were kicked out and replaced either by colluding officials," he said.

Dumisani Sigege, who founded Guguletu Housing Project in 2001, said: "I am hurt because some of those who were supposed to get the houses are still living in backyards.

"All we want is for this project to be investigated so that the right owners get their houses.

Phumla Dlokolo, the chairwoman of Our Pride Housing Project, spoke to Sowetan in one of the RDP houses.

"All the people who are staying in the low-cost houses have been approved by the department with the help of BKS consultants," Dlokolo said.

"We have nothing to worry about. "We welcome the investigation.

"The beneficiaries were in their 20s when they applied for the houses."

Ntombekhaya Maputa accused Dlokolo of taking her late father's house which was meant for her.

"My father died four years ago and he had already paid the money which was asked by Dlokolo.

"I have proof of this at home," Maputa said.

- Sowetan

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