RESIDENTS of Eagle Park and Pelican Park are concerned about the number of illegal dwellings that have been erected on the land earmarked for the Mama's Housing Project.
People's Post reported in previous articles that earlier this year 20 illegal dwellings were erected on the land between Lotus River and Pelican Park earmarked for the project.
People said at the time they were erecting the dwellings as they were tired of waiting for houses after they had already paid money into the project.
It was alleged that 374 beneficiaries had paid money for houses, but the money has not been accounted for.
It was also said that the last house was built two years ago.
It was alleged that there was a possibility of fraud occurring and the project was stopped.
It was explained by Xolani Tyilani of the Western Cape Department of Local Government and Housing that after the news of the fraud allegations, the department intervened and commissioned an in-house investigation. During the investigation, the project's bank account was frozen.
The findings of the investigation resulted in the termination of the contract between the service provider, Mama's Housing Company, and the department.
A meeting was arranged in April, at which the MEC for Local Government and Housing, Richard Dyantyi, met with the beneficiaries of the project.
It was reported to the beneficiaries that the department was taking over the project and that people would receive their houses, but it would be a "process, not an event".
However, six months later, people are still waiting for their houses.
Desperation has risen and people have of their own accord moved onto the land earmarked for the housing project.
Residents in the area are not happy with the current land invasion and although they have sympathy for these beneficiaries, they still believe that something needs to be done.
Residents say there are about 50 shacks on the land. Rashieda Roman explains that the sight of the shacks is shocking.
"Everybody is putting up shacks; you should see what it looks like."
She says that besides the state of the area, another concern is safety.
"Some of the wendy houses are vacant. Our children can be pulled into these shacks while walking to school. I do not approve of these shacks."
She says something needs to be done.
As an estate agent, she says she can safely say that due to the erection of the shacks the value of the area will reduce.
This seemed to be the general concern for a number of the residents.
"The types of the shacks they are putting up is devaluing the area. I do feel for the people, but there is no control," says Hassen Ganie, a resident and member of the Pelican Park Ratepayers' and Residents' Association.
Nisha Ishmael, also a resident, agrees with Ganie that there needs to be more control.
"From a humanitarian point of view there is no point in throwing the people off the land."
She suggests that the land invasion, especially by those who are not beneficiaries of the project, be stopped.
"They need to find out exactly who is occupying the land and whether or not they are beneficiaries."
She says the so-called illegal land invaders should be served with an interdict, preventing those who are not beneficiaries from invading the land.
As the land is owned by provincial government and due to the project being taken over by the Western Cape Department of Local Government and Housing, they were approached for comment.
However, at the time of going to print, People's Post had not received any comment.
Comment will be published as soon as it is forthcoming... People's Post
People's Post reported in previous articles that earlier this year 20 illegal dwellings were erected on the land between Lotus River and Pelican Park earmarked for the project.
People said at the time they were erecting the dwellings as they were tired of waiting for houses after they had already paid money into the project.
It was alleged that 374 beneficiaries had paid money for houses, but the money has not been accounted for.
It was also said that the last house was built two years ago.
It was alleged that there was a possibility of fraud occurring and the project was stopped.
It was explained by Xolani Tyilani of the Western Cape Department of Local Government and Housing that after the news of the fraud allegations, the department intervened and commissioned an in-house investigation. During the investigation, the project's bank account was frozen.
The findings of the investigation resulted in the termination of the contract between the service provider, Mama's Housing Company, and the department.
A meeting was arranged in April, at which the MEC for Local Government and Housing, Richard Dyantyi, met with the beneficiaries of the project.
It was reported to the beneficiaries that the department was taking over the project and that people would receive their houses, but it would be a "process, not an event".
However, six months later, people are still waiting for their houses.
Desperation has risen and people have of their own accord moved onto the land earmarked for the housing project.
Residents in the area are not happy with the current land invasion and although they have sympathy for these beneficiaries, they still believe that something needs to be done.
Residents say there are about 50 shacks on the land. Rashieda Roman explains that the sight of the shacks is shocking.
"Everybody is putting up shacks; you should see what it looks like."
She says that besides the state of the area, another concern is safety.
"Some of the wendy houses are vacant. Our children can be pulled into these shacks while walking to school. I do not approve of these shacks."
She says something needs to be done.
As an estate agent, she says she can safely say that due to the erection of the shacks the value of the area will reduce.
This seemed to be the general concern for a number of the residents.
"The types of the shacks they are putting up is devaluing the area. I do feel for the people, but there is no control," says Hassen Ganie, a resident and member of the Pelican Park Ratepayers' and Residents' Association.
Nisha Ishmael, also a resident, agrees with Ganie that there needs to be more control.
"From a humanitarian point of view there is no point in throwing the people off the land."
She suggests that the land invasion, especially by those who are not beneficiaries of the project, be stopped.
"They need to find out exactly who is occupying the land and whether or not they are beneficiaries."
She says the so-called illegal land invaders should be served with an interdict, preventing those who are not beneficiaries from invading the land.
As the land is owned by provincial government and due to the project being taken over by the Western Cape Department of Local Government and Housing, they were approached for comment.
However, at the time of going to print, People's Post had not received any comment.
Comment will be published as soon as it is forthcoming... People's Post
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