“Where will we go?” ask residents about RDP housing

Residents from various areas are fed up and have been waiting years to be allocated an RDP house – this despite being approved.

Residents from areas such as Middlevlei, Vleikop, Ten Acres and Finsbury are growing concerned as they still wait to be allocated to the Dan Tloome Mega Project even though they had been approved. Not only are the residents wondering when they will finally be able to move to the housing, but they also worry about how they will be paying their rent until then.

Bokkie Pule expressed that the majority of residents waiting to be allocated have been approved since 2017.

“The municipality promised they would allocate us. Our biggest issue is that no one is being allocated. When we went to the housing department, they told us that they still needed to install water meters for the houses. But we do not care if there is no water or electricity. There is no difference because we need a safe place to stay,” Pule expressed.

Another concern for Pule is beneficiaries. She explained when a person dies, the beneficiary of the RDP house is never allocated.

Martha Dorahgraas also emphasised her worries regarding beneficiaries.

“My mother was allocated whereafter she passed away. When I enquired about the house, they told me that if I had a younger sister they would have given me the house. I am a mother of two disabled children living on a SASSA grant. The landlord said he would evict me if I did not pay the rent. Where will I go? I am a beneficiary but I still have to wait,” Dorahgraas said.

Nikodemus Ricardo Smith is also concerned about his living circumstances and said he has not been paying rent for four months.

“They said I was approved but we are still struggling. Where will my wife and I go now?” he asked.

“I applied for a house in 2010 and it got approved. The housing department said I should wait but I cannot afford to. I am a pensioner. Where will I go? I will be happy when I finally get a house,” Berta Lenah Motsamai expressed.

Another resident Attracta Smith explained she was supposed to be allocated from Montros to Dan Tloome, however, the allocation process is at a standstill.

“Why are we not being allocated? It’s always just another SMS but nothing is being done. The people at Montros who were approved are now struggling to get an allocation. What is the holdup?” Smith wondered.

Monica Beauchamp said the municipality is doing nothing for them.

“I am behind with my rent. My children are asking me why we cannot go into the home. The landlord also cut off my electricity for three days,” Beauchamp explained.

“I live with nine adopted children and I pay R2 500 every month. I have been approved long ago but the allocation is still pending,” Beauty September said.

The Randfontein Herald approached Rand West City Local Municipality spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa for comment, who acknowledged the matter and noted he would be following up.

No further response was given at the time of print. Their feedback will be published once received.

Councillor Alwyn van Tonder commented on the matter stating it is important to note the allocation of units or houses to beneficiaries is the duty of the Human Settlements Department.

He added that he cannot comment directly about the complaints of these residents since it is not the ward councillor’s duty.

“With the Dan Tloome development, we have seen the allocation of units to people outside the ward and even outside the city. The residents of Ward 3 (in which Dan Tloome is situated) have been left behind when you look at the number of units allocated and the very small number of Ward 3 residents allocated.

“When this development started there were three informal settlements in Ward 3 and currently there are still three informal settlements. This is even though these developments were meant to eradicate the informal settlements. Although this is a mega housing development, it is my opinion that the people from the local ward must be prioritised,” he concluded.