eMBALENHLE – Concerned residents of Mandela Section are calling on Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) to rectify alleged wrongful allocations of RDP houses and stands in the area.
The residents claimed that illegal allocation of RDP houses and stands is rife in the area.
They said there are people who applied for RDP houses in 1998, but are still waiting.
Allegedly some of these applicants were sidelined by councillors.
They are accused for allocating RDP houses to their political connections.
Mr Masabatha Kubheka, a resident, said: “RDP houses are given to 25-year-olds, while a 90-year-old person has no place to stay.
“We are calling on GMM to intervene as the situation is getting out of hand.
“We have reported the matter to our councillor and she told us that she does not know what is happening.
“This matter must soon be addressed.”
They further alleged that some councillors own RDP houses and collect rent of R2 500 per month.
The residents recently saw municipal officials marking out stands in the area next to White City. They questioned the officials, but were told that RDP houses will be built in the area.
Ms Nothobelikhaya Vumani is one of the residents who is facing problems with her RDP house.
She received a court order stating that she owes GMM an amount of R4 500 for unpaid municipal services.
The service debt is for an RDP house that is registered in her name, yet she has never lived in it.
Ms Vumani is unsure when exactly she was allocated this house, but recalls receiving a court order in 2008 stating she owes the council.
She enquired from the municipality and was given a stand number and told to search for the house.
“I recently searched for the house and I was shocked to find a big house built on the stand that is registered in my name.
“I returned to the municipal offices and discovered that the stand is also registered to a former councillor. I was told that the stand is registered under two names, mine and the former councillor.
“The officials could not help me. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, speaker of Council, said residents must come forward with information. He said they can come to his office with the information to be verified.
“We are against any form of corruption, but at this stage we cannot comment as no case has been reported.
“Residents are welcome to report any matter regarding councillors. The identity of the whistle blowers will be protected.”
Commenting on the marking of stands in Mandela Section, Ms Ethel Nkosi, MMC Planning and Development, said she was not aware of any marking of stands.
She confirmed that she would have known about it, but rather suspect that it could be land grabbers.
“I will investigate,” concluded Ms Nkosi.
