West Rand mayor Boyce Maneli discusses slow RDP housing

1. My Mayor, I live in the West Rand municipal area of Randfontein. In 2008, I applied for an RDP house, as I qualified for one. It’s now 2017 and I have been in an informal settlement since 1998, but I can’t get an RDP house.

They always say they start with people from 1996, and nothing happens. Perhaps formalise Zenzele, because I’ve been here since 1998. Joseph Kgechane, Randfontein.

Mayor Maneli: The West Rand District Municipality notes your concern and is equally disappointed that the matter regarding the application of your RDP house has dragged on until now.

Over and above that, the district municipality has noted many challenges regarding the current housing subsidy system, and as a result we have in collaboration with IBM developed a concept housing subsidy tracking system, which is aimed at resolving issues related to subsidy application processes.

In the interim, you are kindly requested to contact the Gauteng department of human settlements’ West Rand regional office on 011-662-8343 or 011-662-8300 or the West Rand District Municipality human settlements manager who will further assist you with your query on the following contact details, 011-411-5170, or alternatively on mnevhungoni@wrdm. gov.za.

The municipality is also exploring other available avenues, such as the unfolding of the mega human settlements developments, within the region to address issues similar to that of Zenzele.

2. I bought a townhouse in 2013 and the lawyer provided me with a letter to take back to the council in order to open an account in my name.

It took the Roodepoort civic staff over three-and-a-half years to open an account in my name and, eventually in May this year, after sourcing information from my DA councillor, the account was opened and a arrears amount of just over R9 000 is now due.

My request all this time was for my rates and taxes account so that I can pay to avoid this astronomical amount that is now due.

Till today, I have not received an account in the post and tried to go and see if I cannot get assistance with this amount as I still can’t go and pay as I don’t even have proof of account numbers. The lady just showed me on a screen, saying I should wait for the account via post.

The staff at Roodepoort civic centre is so unfriendly, the manager there is not helpful at all, blaming the rates and taxes department for not sorting out the account.

This account is in arrears because some people never did their job, and that money could have been used to better the lives of others. Please help me to get this fixed in order for me to make a difference and pay so that the city I live in can become better for all. Marilize Stellenberg, Witpoortjie

Mayor Maneli: It should not be the norm, in a caring local government, for citizens to struggle for years to secure an account to service their obligation to the municipality. One can only commiserate with you when thinking of the endless efforts you have taken to sort this matter out.

Whilst I am extremely sympathetic to your situation, your account falls within the ambit of the City of Johannesburg. That is outside the boundaries of the West Rand District Municipality, as well as Mogale City Local Municipality, one of our constituent locals.

There is, therefore, no immediate response I can avail to you. Your issue will though be communicated to the office of the mayor of the City of Joburg for his attention.

One can only hope that your concerns will be addressed sufficiently and urgently. I suggest that you take up your matter with the City of Johannesburg customer service centre at Thuso House in Jorrisen Street, Braamfontein.