Recent problems at Dick Powell Villas in Homelake is only the tip of the iceberg.
This was discovered by the herald following the recent chaos caused by protesting residents of the infamous municipally-owned housing complex after they blockaded the R28, burning tyres and pelting passing motorists with stones.
Residents went on the rampage after their electricity was cut off by the Randfotnein Local Municipality, allegedly without any prior warning.
According to residents the Randfontein Local Municipality has been promising that they would hand over title deeds of the individual flats for years now, but to no avail.
Instead, residents say that over the years, rentals have been going up and has now reached the point where they can no longer afford living at the complex.
“People have to understand that we don’t live in municipal flats out of choice,” says longtime resident Patrick Rayman.
“We live here because we cannot afford to live anywhere else.
“It is ridiculous for the municipality to expect of us to pay thousands of rands when we can’t afford to do so.
“Especially since these flats were always intended for the housing of low-income earners.”
According to Rayman and other residents, most of the residents have fallen into arrears with their rental payments.
“He says that this was under the instruction of the ward councilor of the area who said that residents should hold off payig their rent until the municipality agrees to lower the monthly rental rates owing to the lack of affordability.
According to him, residents have tried to settle the outstanding amounts at the municipal offices but were turned away because the municipality demanded a minimum payment of 20 per cent of the arrears amounts.
According to former DA ward councillor of area Bernice Blake, all the problems started when the municipality wanted to make a business out of the houses.
“The municipality was supposed to give those houses to the people for free and have them pay for water and electricity.
“However, they turned around and started renting them out to people and making money out of them.
“As if that weren’t enough, one would get highly paid councillors also living in the low cost houses, which just defeats the purpose.
“What is upsetting is the fact that these very same councilors would then sub-let the houses to other people at exorbitant amounts just to make a quick buck,” says Blake.
While the situation is said to be calm in the area, the herald can reveal that those arrested have been released on R5 000 bail each.
They are set to appear at the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court after the upcoming elections.
