Thembeni housing project to resume after N2 closure

KwaDukuza municipality and Zikhuluse Construction have pledged that construction of the Thembeni RDP houses will resume by Monday next week.

KDM spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said the contractor also promised them that 100 of the 1980 houses will be completed in three weeks time.

“This resolve follows a series of intense engagements with the contractor, the implementing agent and the community where we heightened our call for order and restraint,” said Zulu.

On Monday the municipality met with the Thembeni community to deliver these promises.

This follows the closure of the N2 three weeks ago by an angry mob of about 1500 residents who went on the rampage on Thursday, January 22, also setting fire to the Zikhuluse Construction base in Thembeni.

This was not the first time the community has protested over the housing project which is now in its fourth year.

One of the main allegations of the protesters was that RDP houses were being sold illegally to people outside the community.

Zulu said the homes had been illegally occupied by foreigners..

“We have improved our relations with the community of Thembeni and have agreed and committed to complete and allocate to the rightful owners, a maximum of 100 homes and ablution facilities within the next three weeks”, said Zulu.

“We will further evict illegal occupants in various houses as reportedly heard, using the correct allocation process in terms of our policy. We will also compile reports containing the number of rightful owners who will be taking occupation of existing houses in the next few weeks. By these actions we want to achieve a lasting solution, ensure that there is stability in the area and that service delivery is accelerated.”

Two weeks back, councillor Innocent Nxumalo said the delay for the construction was due to “technical problems” experienced by the company that was installing toilets, so Zikhuluse Construction could not complete the construction of the houses.

KDM spokesperson Sphelelo Ngobese said the toilet project will now be handled by Zikhuluse Construction.

“When the construction begins on Monday, there will be security on site to ensure safety at the construction site and the contractors’ new equipment,” said Ngobese.

During the protest residents burnt equipment at a value of about R4.8 million.

He urged residents to follow the necessary procedures whenever they have complaints about any service delivery matter.