Municipality needs land for houses

RDP houses in Thembeni and Malede was the main issue discussed when residents had a chance to interact with KwaZulu-Natal MEC Ravi Pillay and local government leadership recently.

Residents of Groutville complained about their houses being built on other people’s yards, cracks in the walls and “wrong people” benefiting from the housing project.

“I was born and raised in Thembeni but I do not have a house, however people coming from other areas are getting houses in Thembeni. How is the housing issue being solved in Thembeni if residents are not benefiting from the housing project in our area?” asked Hlengiwe Mpanza.

The MEC visited KwaDukuza as part of the national imbizo focus week, held at Thembeni sportsfield on Sunday, April 12.

Other residents who maintained that they were told to demolish their houses to make space for RDP houses to be built, had doubt cast on their claim by KwaDukuza mayor Ricardo Mthembu.

“I find this very hard to believe. No house should be demolished until a new house has been built. If such a thing did happen, I need explanations from the councillor,” said Mthembu.

He recognised that there were people who have had their applications for housing approved but due to a shortage of land their houses had not been built.

He further explained that there are certain people who needed to be prioritised in the allocation of housing.

“You cannot give a house to a 25-year-old resident and leave a 95-year-old without a house,” said Mthembu.

More than 740 completed houses, fully fitted with water-born sanitation and taps, have been handed over to their new owners. About 900 homes are to be built in total.

The MEC promised residents that he would take their complaints to the national office of human settlements and would provide feedback when he gets answers.

Residents also expressed concern over the prevalence of drugs in the townships.