Mayor Xhakaza joins handover of 140 houses in Clayville

The Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, joined Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara, and MMC for Human Settlements Nsizwa Mekgwe during a housing handover ceremony in Clayville on June 10.

The event saw houses handed over to 140 deserving beneficiaries, marking another milestone in efforts to restore dignity, expand access to adequate housing and improve the quality of life for residents.

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) said the initiative reflects ongoing collaboration between different spheres of government to accelerate housing delivery and develop sustainable human settlements.

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Addressing beneficiaries, Xhakaza urged new homeowners to take responsibility for their properties and to ensure they are not misused.

“You are among the 140 beneficiaries receiving houses today, and we know many others are still waiting, including applicants dating back to 1996. We are working to address that backlog,” said Xhakaza.

He cautioned residents against renting out or selling their houses, warning that such actions undermine the purpose of the housing programme.

“We appeal to you to take care of these homes. Some beneficiaries end up renting them out or selling them, which is not what the programme is intended for.

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“If this is discovered, action will be taken,” he said.

“These houses are not for sale. They are provided to improve living conditions for deserving residents. There is no need to build shacks to benefit from the programme,” he said.

He highlighted that the developments form part of broader efforts to ensure quality service delivery, including access to water and basic services, while encouraging beneficiaries to take pride in their new homes.

“We are not only providing houses, but building proper homes with dignity. These are state-of-the-art units, and they should be treated with care and respect,” he said.

The mayor also noted that beneficiaries will be required to comply with municipal billing systems, with indigent support available for qualifying unemployed households.

The housing handover forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to address the housing backlog and provide sustainable human settlements across Ekurhuleni.