Uthingo Park residents hand over memorandum to state grievances
The residents say that the municipality should not appoint another third party institution to manage the residencies.
Residents of Uthingo Park in Tasbet Park marched to the Emalahleni Local Municipality over management issues.
On February 4 the residents handed over a memorandum to the municipality of grievances over the management of Uthingo Park.
This follows the alleged collapse of Emalahleni Housing Company (EHC), a social housing organisation that manages more than 1 200 units in the three projects namely Uthingo Park in Tasbet Park Ext 6, Lesedi Courts one and two in Klarinet Ext 6 and Panorama Heights in Highveld Park.
The residents say that the municipality should not appoint another third party institution to manage the residencies, but should rather take ownership of administrative affairs.
Residents have alleged that the rampant corruption and mismanagement of funds by the housing company has led to its financial ruin and robbed the municipality of revenue that could have been collected and utilised to improve service delivery.
It’s believed that residents have boycotted paying rent to EHC over the time frame of four years in protest of the housing company and the rental agreement that was entered into by the residents and EHC in 2003.
It was further stated that the residents want to be allowed to buy and own the properties they have been renting since the commencement of the rental agreement.
The memorandum was received by the municipality’s Council Speaker, Cllr Mduduzi KaNkosi.
A response from Emalahleni Housing Company was sent to WITBANK NEWS regarding these allegations and the spokesperson, Zanele Shongwe said, “The project consisting of 1 205 units have been managed by Emalahleni Housing Company NPC since 2002 to date. Uthingo Park has been experiencing rental boycotts with riots and vandalism since September 2018. This has resulted in a decline in rental collection rates from 95% to an average of 20%. “
According to Shongwe despite no payment over the past three years, the company has managed to do repairs on vandalised electrical infrastructure to ensure that tenants receive an uninterrupted electricity supply.
“Furthermore, 80% of tenants in Uthingo Park who are not willing to pay rent have bridged electricity. This has caused an additional burden on EHC in terms of the municipality bill. In addition to the 80% of tenants who are not paying rentals, about 200 units in the complex have been hijacked and illegally occupied by unknown individuals. The above challenges have made it difficult for EHC to provide optimal service to paying tenants. While we appreciate the support received from tenants who are still paying rent, EHC needs to collect from all tenants to be able to provide services. Despite the challenges faced at Uthingo Park, EHC has not collapsed and is still in existence,” Shongwe concluded.
The Mpumalanga MEC for Human Settlements, Mr Speedy Mashilo held a meeting in October 2021 with delegates from Nehawu, Emalahleni Local Municipality and Uthingo Park where he told them his intention to dissolve the company’s board.
Read More:
Shocking state of Uthingo Park ‒ MEC promises solutions
Vandalism continues at Uthingo Park – Reward offered
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