Randfontein — Gauteng Local Government and Housing MEC Ntombi Mekgwe handed over more than 80 houses to residents of the Mohlakeng and other parts of Randfontein at a ceremony in Mohlakeng on 29 March.
According to Mekgwe, this should not be seen as a strategy to campaign for the elections but as way of fulfilling yet another constitutional right.
She also cited this as proof of the ruling party’s commitment to the people of Randfontein.
“Delivering houses is part of the government’s mandate to improve people’s lives and this should not be seen as campaigning for votes,” says Mekgwe.
“It is merely something we have been intending to do and the hand over date depended largely on the readiness of the houses.”
She pleaded with beneficiaries not to sell or rent out their houses for financial gain.
“We don’t want to see people returning to shacks and then coming back to complain that there is no service delivery in government,” says Mekgwe.
The Herald spoke to 92-year-old Nthuseng Selepe, who is one of the beneficiaries.
“Finally I have a place that I can call home,” says Selepe.
“I have been living in the Zenzele informal settlement for the past 15 years and now that I have my own house, I can also provide a place to live for my daughter and my great-grandchild.”
Despite Mekgwe’s assurances that there is no relation between the hand over of houses and the upcoming Elections, some detractors still made themselves heard.
“It’s funny how these houses are always finished right around election time,” says one bystander who wishes not to be named.
“You never see or hear about the ANC government doing anything for the community outside of election time.”
