Criminals are the only beneficiaries of the stagnant Wattville housing project
The housing project, which has been ongoing for years, has been prone to theft and vandalism.
A housing project in Wattville begun six years ago has hit a snag, leaving residents baffled and without answers.
The former MMC for Human Settlements in Ekurhuleni, Lesiba Mpya, launched the project on June 30, 2018, intending to bring hope to hundreds of Harry Gwala informal settlement residents.
However, the stagnant housing project has caused frustration for the beneficiaries, who said their dream of moving into their new homes looks bleak.
The Benoni City Times visited the site in about March last year and found that the development was indeed at a standstill.
A security guard was there, monitoring the site. However, it was evident that criminals were taking full advantage of the easy pickings of door frames and other structural materials on the site. Also seen on-site were bags of unused cement.
Harry Gwala community leader Albert Skosana said nothing fruitful has come from the project. It has, instead, brought shame and pain into residents’ lives.
“The residents are in despair. Everyone was excited to finally bid farewell to their harsh living conditions. However, they remain stuck in their shacks.
“Four contractors have downed tools due to non-payment since the project started. We were told a large sum would be injected into the project. So, what happened to that money?
“Because there is no contractor on-site, criminals are cashing in on the structural materials that are left unattended. We haven’t been told why the project is not continuing. We are in the dark,” said Skosana.
The estimated projected cost of the four-storey development was R260m.
The project’s first phase, which involved the construction of 264 units during the 2018/19 financial year, was estimated at over R130m.
Phase two of the development was to produce 700 housing units, 113 of which were supposed to be duplexes, to accommodate elderly people and persons with disabilities.
In about September last year, Ward 30 Clr Kenny Ranyawa and a delegation from the mayor’s office did an oversight visit to check the development’s progress.
Ranyawa said that during that visit, it was revealed that the project was delayed due to budgetary issues.
“It was highlighted during the meeting that there is no money to continue the project. Further, it was indicated that though the project is a municipality project, it is subsidised by the provincial government, which cited its challenges.”
He said the situation at the site is still dire, though he heard that a new contractor was appointed to complete the housing units.
Ranyawa, who took office after the project had already begun, said his mission is to see to it that the project is complete by the end of his term.
Ekurhuleni metro responds
Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini acknowledged that the project has been delayed for some time.
“The project started in the 2017/18 period, and the aim was to upgrade the Harry Gwala informal settlement and provide qualifying residents with affordable housing.
“Residents have been intensively updated about the project’s progress.
“In July last year, during a Public Service Commission meeting, it was communicated that the project would be halted while the department waits for the approval of the budget rollover.
“To date, the department is waiting for the rollover approval by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements.
“Therefore, the Ekurhuleni metro can not put contractors on site until the budget rollover is approved. The rollover process is not only applicable to this project, but cross-cuts to all top-structure projects in the Human Settlements Department.”
Regarding the vandalism and theft at the site, Dlamini said when the malicious damage to the property occurred, it was reported to the SAPS.
However, it is alleged that the Actonville SAPS refused to open a case, saying the department cannot open a case because they were no witnesses to the crime.
Dlamini said the estimated completion of this project will be during the 2024/25 financial year.
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