SECUNDA – Tenants of the Govan Mbeki Housing Company (GMHC)’s development in Ext23, Secunda, became angry when their pre-paid electricity was cut off at about 11am on Tuesday, 11 February.
The electricity was restored later that evening.
Residents who wish to remain anonymous, told Ridge Times that the power to some of the units was cut due to non-payment of rent. The tenants refused to pay rent because of poor living conditions.
There are a number of issues that had been raise with the GMHC.
“We want our grievances addressed by the CEO before we pay our rent. Our rent is too much! These are social housing and we are paying a huge amount. We want a meeting where we can negotiate the rent, or the Department of Human Settlement must come here and evaluate these flats to see if what we are paying aligns with other competitors,” said a resident.
The tenants said GMHC are not following the law when it comes to eviction and cutting off the electricity supply.
A resident was issued with an eviction notice to vacate the premises within 30 days. He said the notice was given based on rumours and claims he has never been late with his rent. This was the first time he refused to pay because of his living conditions.
“They locked us out of our house. One of the flats had been welded shut so no one could go in.”
The tenants also raised their concerns over high water bills.
When they query the water bill at Govan Mbeki Municipality, they get told that they are not on the system.
“They are also using our social housing as lodging for contractors that come from outside and they are making a profit from this.
“There are units that are reserved for these contractors. When local people who earn a low income need affordable housing, they cannot be accommodated because these contractors are occupying the space,” said a concerned resident.
The residents also raised concern that their children do not feel safe when the contractors are on the premises.
“We are a close-knit community and we know each other, we look out for each other’s children. These contractors call our children “baby” and tell our children to go upstairs to their place. They also party and disturb the peace every weekend.”
Concerns over a building site were also raised. Children can be found playing around the construction area. According to the community, these sites are not closed off and are a hazard when it comes to the children’s safety.
Ridge Times contacted the GMHC offices in Evander on Wednesday, 12 February and were told to leave contact details. The newspaper also sent an email with questions relating to the article.
Ridge Times was able to get hold of the general manager, Ms Busisiwe Mazibuko on 14 February.
She claimed to be on sick leave and not to have access to her work emails.
When Ridge Times offered to send the questions to Ms Mazibuko’s personal email address, she replied: “So you want me now to break my sick leave, I am on sick leave. I had surgery on my hand so I won’t be able to type.” She said there was no one else who can assist in answering the questions.
These questions include why electricity was cut, what is being done to rectify the poor living conditions, why the are contract workers accommodated in an area meant for social housing, why residents cannot find their water bills and what are the eviction procedures of GMHC.
