Millions spent, no progress on Tshwane housing builds
Despite millions budgeted for development, 53 housing projects across Tshwane remain stalled, sparking political outrage and frustration among would-be homeowners. The FF Plus demands accountability and action. The metro claims 630 houses were built, denying legal delays.
Tshwane’s housing crisis is worsening, with no progress made in any of the metro’s 53 housing projects during the past quarter.
This is according to Lenor Janse van Rensburg, Freedom Front Plus city councillor.
She said that despite millions of rands being allocated to housing and infrastructure development, no new homes have been built, no land has been acquired, and no roads or supporting infrastructure have been completed.
Janse van Rensburg pointed out that many developments remain bogged down by legal disputes, absent contractors, and interference by local forums.
“Even in areas where infrastructure has been completed, such as in Mamelodi, not a single house has been built in the last three months,” said Janse van Rensburg.
She said projects in Rama City and Pretorius Park in Pretoria east are effectively frozen due to contractors lacking proof of compliance with national building regulations.
Rama City is a housing development located in the north-western part of Pretoria, near Ga-Rankuwa and the Rosslyn Industrial Area. The project aims to address housing challenges and provide housing, economic upliftment, as well as fulfilling other social needs in the community.
Janse van Rensburg emphasised that this delay is not only a source of deep frustration for hopeful homeowners but could also constitute a violation of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), which deems the inefficient use of funds as irregular, wasteful expenditure.
“The FF Plus stands for accountability and lawful project management. Service delivery is not a privilege; it is a right,” she said. “We will continue to fulfil our oversight role and demand that housing projects resume immediately to address this growing crisis.”
She proposed several urgent measures to address the crisis, such as the dismissal of underperforming officials, public and independent quarterly audits of performance indicators and the appointment of competent contractors with a proven ability to deliver.
Her other proposals include abolishing the public procurement process that favours weak contractors, and replacing it with an approved panel of merit-based contractors, as well as verification of national building regulation certificates before appointment.
“We will continue to press for only competent, certified contractors to be appointed, not political cadres or opportunists,” she stressed.
However, the metro has disputed claims that no houses have been built.
According to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo:
– 630 low-cost houses were constructed within the jurisdiction of Tshwane, including 327 houses in Olievenhoutbosch Ext 60, and
– R11.7-million was spent completing these homes in terms of the subsidy agreement with the provincial Department of Human Settlements.
Responding to concerns about stalled projects, Mashigo denied the existence of any legal obstacles currently halting developments.
“There is no legal challenge halting housing projects for the City of Tshwane.”
Janse van Rensburg confirmed to Rekord that a recently tabled report to council showed that R44-million was allocated for the payment of a court case in connection with construction at the Townlands project, where the processes were never followed to build more than 600 units.
Mashigo clarified the issue of contractor qualifications, saying, “In Rama City, the appointed contractor is responsible for the sewer bulk connection and remedial work and has met all necessary requirements.
“In Pretorius Park, an engineering consultant is developing designs, after which contractors will be appointed by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements.”
Addressing contractor absenteeism, Mashigo said the metro would ‘enforce the conditions of the contract’, and local forum disruptions would be managed through ‘effective Project Management Steering Committees’.
As for possible violations of the MFMA, Mashigo pointed to existing oversight mechanisms, saying, “Internal controls have been established in terms of policies, standard operating procedures, signed contracts, and existing structures for checks and balances.”
Despite infrastructure being completed in Mamelodi, no homes have followed. Mashigo explained that for this project, the construction of houses is the competency of the provincial government.
He concluded by assuring residents that efforts are underway to solve the housing crisis.
“Issues have been raised with the provincial Department of Human Settlements, and they have a programme to address all blocked projects in the metro.”
As political oversight intensifies and public pressure mounts, the FF Plus insists that only through accountability, transparency, and skilled project management will the people of Tshwane see the houses they have been promised for far too long.
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