DUNDEE KZN: Joy as residents finally receive title deeds
"The provincial government, through the Human Settlements Department, is doing this in an effort to promote home ownership and property asset ownership among the previously disadvantaged," the MEC said.
After a wait of over 24 years, 250 title deeds were presented to Endumeni residents who have been occupying government housing stock since 1994. The ceremony was held on Saturday, attended by MEC for Human Settlements & Public Works Jomo Sibiya. The title deeds were presented at the new amenities hall at Livangeli to residents of Sibongile, Sithembile and Craigside.
The event was also attended by Mayor Sduduzo Mdluli and Council Speaker Lucky Khumalo. It was said that the handing over of the title deeds ‘forms part of MEC Sibiya’s aggressive programme of eradicating the huge backlog of outstanding title deed hand-overs to eligible bona fide beneficiaries.
‘The Human Settlements & Public Works MEC has dedicated the first 100 days since assumption of office to a sustained title deeds roll-out programme in many areas of the province. Residents like Buselaphi Gwebu (71) from Sibongile expressed their excitement at finally getting their hands on title deeds to their houses, in which they have lived for years.
The beneficiaries of the pre-1994 housing stock received their title deeds under the Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme (EEDBS), which primarily caters for the free transfer of pre-1994 government houses to eligible beneficiaries.
“The provincial government, through the Human Settlements Department, is doing this in an effort to promote home ownership and property asset ownership among the previously disadvantaged,” the MEC said. MEC Sibiya also used the opportunity to visit the site of the new Dundee Junior Secondary School, which is being rebuilt in Oldacre Street at a cost of R41 million.
The school was at the centre of much frustration by parents who claimed that the building was falling down and overrun by snakes. After learners were moved to a temporary site in Forestale, the old school was vandalised and torn down by thieves and vagrants until it was just a shell.
The construction has been plagued by the alleged non-payment of workers by sub-contractors. The workers have long complained to the Courier of late payment or of being underpaid. However, it was said that these issues ‘have now been sorted out’.
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