ICYMI: Work has only just begun on Ivory Park temporary housing

Following a few delays, the Rabie Ridge Temporary Relocation Unit (TRU) project has seen a bit of progress since July.

The project was announced at a sod-turning hosted by the City of Johannesburg and Department of Housing with Mayor Geoff Makhubo and MMC for Housing Mlungisi Mabaso present.

They announced that 1 200 units would be built to provide housing to residents living in informal settlements during the Covid-19 pandemic as reported in the Midrand Reporter article Rabie Ridge to receive 1 200 temporary houses [Week ending 24 July].

Ward 80 councillor Makgoba Pagadi said the units were intended for the de-densification of the informal settlements around the area and the people who were allocated the housing had been shortlisted on the Department of Housing’s database. He added that the number of TRUs to be built had been decreased from the initial 1 200 to a about 1 100.

Pagadi said that the project officially began at the end of October and a show house had been built as a prototype with seven to follow. “We had a few hiccups in starting the project when it came to appointing service providers. There were nine contractors assigned to the project but one had pulled out. We now have eight. Another issue came in terms of the hand over of the site by the Housing Development Agency which was delayed,” he explained.

“The City also had issues with the pricing that was brought forward from the contractors and the SMMEs they were working with,” he added.

Pagadi explained the reason that so many contractors had been appointed was so the project could be completed in less time. He said they were expecting its conclusion by the end of January next year.

The Midrand Reporter contacted the Department of Housing who were not able to comment on the project by the time of publication.

This is a developing story and comment from the department will follow.