SEDIBENG. – Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) DA Mayoral Candidate, Kingsol Chabalala, has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Chabalala is seeking a proclamation to investigate what he says is the illegal sale and irregular allocation of RDP houses in the ELM.

In his letter, Chabalala said there are concerns that some RDP houses intended for approved beneficiaries are being sold, occupied or allocated to people who are not the rightful beneficiaries, and this leaves deserving residents without the homes allocated to them and undermines the purpose of the RDP housing programme.

The letter, a copy of which Sedibeng Ster has, and dated October 1, requests that the investigation focus on:

• RDP houses that were illegally sold or transferred;

• Houses occupied by people who are not the approved beneficiaries;

• Beneficiaries who appear on official housing records but never received their houses;

• Possible manipulation of beneficiary lists and allocation records;

• Allegations that money was demanded in exchange for RDP houses; and

• Possible involvement of officials or other individuals in irregular housing allocations.

Residents who have waited for years for housing should not lose their homes because of corruption.

Chabalala said the investigation should also determine who the correct beneficiaries are, and identify RDP houses that can lawfully be recovered and returned to their rightful beneficiaries.

“Where there is evidence of fraud, corruption or criminal conduct, the matters should be referred to the relevant law-enforcement authorities. Residents who have waited for years for housing should not lose their homes because of corruption, illegal sales or manipulation of the housing allocation process,” Chabalala said.

“A fair and transparent RDP housing allocation system would give beneficiaries greater stability to seek employment, while supporting opportunities for home-based businesses and self-employment. We therefore respectfully request the Presidency to urgently consider a proclamation to investigate RDP housing irregularities in Emfuleni and ensure that houses are allocated to the correct and lawful beneficiaries,” Chabalala concluded.

* The office of the president has not yet responded to the correspondence.