RDP houses rented out illegally

THE renting out and selling of RDP (low cost) houses has become a great concern on the South Coast.

At a recent imbizo community members raised their concerns with the Hibiscus Coast Municipality mayor, Cynthia Mqwebu, about people who were renting out and selling RDP houses while there were poor people who were still waiting for these houses.

A source said renting a low cost house costs around R500 to R600 a month, and buying one costs around R15 000 to R20 000.

“I am also renting one, and paying R600 a month,” he said. “The owner of the house lives in his other house in Gamalakhe.”

He added that this was the norm in Mkholombe, with many people  renting out their RDP houses for additional income while they stayed elsewhere.

“There are government officials who can afford their own houses but who live in Mkholombe because it’s free,” he said.

Mayor Mqwebu said the municipality would investigate the matter. “It is illegal to rent out a government house, because these houses are meant for those who cannot afford to build their own homes,” she said.

She also emphasised that people should be very careful when they buy these houses, because the title deeds are still in the owner’s name.

“People pay thousands of rands for a house only to find out that the sale is not legit. And hell breaks loose when the municipality hands the title deeds to the person who is registered for the house,” she said.

She appealed to the public to name and shame those who illegally occupy the houses or rent them out.