It has been dubbed ‘Housing Gate’. The web of corruption is believed to involve officials awarding newly-built houses to themselves, friends and family at the expense of the poor. Over 500 ‘RDP’ homes were built in the new extensions adjacent to Sibongile and while the scheme was supposed to enhance the standard of living of those most in need, the project has been fraught with corruption.
Members of the Endumeni Civic Association (ECA) are fighting a battle to expose the extent of the corruption and bring to book those involved.
The elite SAPS unit, the Hawks, are currently probing the case. Documents that were shown to the Courier outline how at least one municipal official was given a house after the rightful beneficiary apparently died.
The list shows two lots with the same number – one of which is in the name of the municipal official whose name is known to the Courier.

Another list ‘conveniently’ skips out house number 4589 which, ECA members claim, has also been awarded illegally to an official.

Angry residents, who live near the house in question, said the house is ‘currently being renovated which is also against the regulations as laid out by the Department of Human Settlements’.
“Renovations can only be done once the title deeds have been presented to the owner. This is yet to happen,” said one member of the ECA.
Another list ‘conveniently’ skips out house number 4589 which, ECA members claim, has also been awarded illegally to an official.
“Deserving beneficiaries were taken off the original list which no one can find. People were added who earn above the threshold. These homes have either been rented out or sold while the deserving folk continue to live in squalour,” said one woman who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.

Fears are that the new homes currently being built in Forrestdale will also be handed out to ‘the wrong people by corrupt officials’ who are seemingly unstoppable.
It has been claimed that up to 45% of the 500 homes have been given to the ‘wrong people using illegal means’.
Many of those who received houses are not even from Wards 4 and 5, the Courier was told.
“SMSes were sent to people notifying them that their request for a house has been granted. However, when we queried as to who generated these SMSes, no one could answer us,” ECA members told the Courier. Fears are that the new homes currently being built in Forrestdale will also be handed out to ‘the wrong people by corrupt officials’ who are seemingly unstoppable.
ECA members said their only hope is that the Hawks will pull the plug on the corruption and that the homes will eventually be awarded to the most deserving.