No housing and little answers
Some residents are anxious about the safety of the RDP infrastructure as houses remain unoccupied.
Residents are worried about the vandalism of RDP houses, particularly the Dan Tloome Mega Project, as they question the allocation process of the Rand West City Local Municipality.
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Melissa Slabbert shared her frustration after not being allocated a house despite being approved.
“Some individuals applied for housing as early as the 1990s. Yet, they still have not been allocated. The municipality promised us these houses, but we never received them. They never respond when we ask questions.
I am extremely upset because even though people have been approved for housing, these houses are now empty. Some of these properties have already been vandalised,” she explained.
Dipolelo Ramalete said she has been waiting for years, but can’t wait any longer.
“Why are they not allocating houses to us? People from as far as Johannesburg have been allocated homes in Dan Tloome, while we are right next door. Why are they taking applicants from outside?”
Bokkie Pule mentioned that residents have been meeting with representatives and managers from the Department of Housing; however, they are still awaiting answers.
“They are playing hide and seek with us. We want to know why they are excluding us, yet they offer excuses when we ask questions. They never specified age requirements when we were approved for housing, but now they claim that if you are too old, you cannot be allocated a house.
Some corrupt activities are happening within the RDP housing sector. Some individuals are renting out the houses,” Pule stated.
Residents from Toekomsrus also expressed their concerns.
According to Ragmat Bantom, the Toekomsrus RDP Housing project is the area’s first mega initiative in Ext 9. However, many residents have not yet received allocations.
“We already live in the houses, and do not consider ourselves invaders because we were given keys by officials. The municipality wants to evict us, yet we deserve priority. Some individuals on the database are still unapproved for housing. The municipality needs to be transparent with us about this issue,” Bantom articulated.
She further noted that about 20 000 Toekomsrus residents are still waiting for approval.
Someone I know waited for housing, but she passed away. Where will her children go now?” she pondered.
Logan Wilson remarked, “We have occupied these houses for months, but the municipality deprives us of essential services within the mega project.”
Councillor Alwyn van Tonder offered his insights, agreeing with the residents’ concerns.
“The allocation of housing and the management of the housing application list is not a local municipal function but falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial department. When these Mega Housing Projects like Dan Tloome were brought here, we were assured they would help eradicate the informal settlements in our ward and town.
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“In Ward 3, where the Dan Tloome and the new Droogeheuvel Mega Housing Development are located, very few residents have benefited from housing allocations. We still confront the challenges posed by three informal settlements in Ward 3.
“People are brought to Dan Tloome from all over the province, and it seems that local housing applicants are being disregarded.
The local communities are frustrated, and it is high time for the Provincial Human Settlements Department to step in, listen, and address the concerns regarding housing allocation,” Van Tonder said.
The Department of Housing recently provided an opportunity for Toekomsrus residents to sign up for housing at the Toekomsrus Community Hall.
The Randfontein Herald contacted the municipality regarding this matter. Spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa acknowledged the inquiries but did not provide feedback by the specified deadline. Their feedback will be published once received.
