Construction of Standerton’s Ext 8 will continue this month

The Department of Human Settlements (DHS) provided clarity on the unfinished project in Ext 8. Freddy Ngobe, spokesperson for the DHS, said the site is unfinished because of challenges faced by the previously appointed contractor.

He stated the contractor surrendered the project.

The DHS was involved in this project through its responsibility to make funding available for sites related to human settlement, such as servicing sites and constructing top structures.

Ngobe also stated the DHS has paid for the work done to date.

“The DHS has since employed another contractor to complete the work and it is expected he will start in April,” said Ngobe.

The flats in the area were initially supposed to be completed in the 2020/21 financial year. Ngobe believes the flats not being completed in the stipulated time contributed to the illegal occupants living on the property.

According to the DHS, they assigned no residents to these incomplete flats.

“The current occupants illegally invaded and occupied the ground floor flats during the Covid-19 pandemic,” explained Ngobe.

The DHS stated residents who illegally occupied these flats must be evicted, for the newly appointed contractor to complete the unfinished flats in the area.

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Ngobe pointed out a court order stated in 2023 to evict the illegal occupants. The municipality could not follow through, as they could not provide the displaced residents with basic services.

He also said they expected the Ext 8 community hall to be completed along with the flats.

According to Ngobe, the only unfinished elements of the hall are floor tiling; painting, installation of toilets; and water and electricity connections.

“We cannot open the hall to the public as it has not yet reached practical completion,” stated Ngobe.

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