The newly formed political party African Born Freedom Fighter (ABFF) disputed aspects of Alex News’ story, Beware of Fraudsters, Week ending 16 November.
The Alex-based party said that councillor Deborah Fransisco who is mentioned in the article was misinformed for insinuating corruption by those collecting money and proof of application for RDP houses from residents purportedly to submit the forms to the council to give them houses thereby ending the long-running housing saga.
Francisco advised that council wasn’t involved in such a scheme and warned residents not to be gullible.
ABFF president Thabiso Makwela and residents Lebogang Pholosi and Angel Phiri of the Concerned Residents’ Project asked those keen to know about the purpose of the project to attend the gatherings they said are open to anyone, especially public representatives. “We function transparently in the public’s interest with housing as our main focus. “Sceptics who fear our party and residents’ initiatives should not spread misinformation about our genuine intentions to resolve the long-standing, thorny housing problem.”
Makwela said, “We are collecting evidence to present to legal advice. The money collected under a R5 concept is part of the project which was initiated by the residents and will cover the legal and administrative expenses.
“Councillors in the City’s local government have failed to resolve the housing backlog including stopping illegal construction of shacks which bring indignity rather than the rights of residents which are enshrined in the Constitution.
“Instead, RDP houses entitled to registered home seekers are allocated to others through corrupt means,” he alleged. He said they have evidence of those involved and are trying to cover up their misdeeds.
He added that they also collect evidence from housing permit holders, those with expropriated title deeds and from ordinary home seekers.”We want those allocated RDP housing subsidies but denied their houses to get them and the title deeds to be restored and gazetted in rightful names and of the offspring of applicants who died during the delay.
“The matter is serious and shouldn’t be viewed as political posturing and campaigning.
“In the sake of unity, we also informed some political parties and stakeholders about the initiative only for some to try to interrupt the gatherings and spread misinformation.”
Pholosi said they turned to the ABFF out of frustration at the more than 20 years of failed promises by successive administrations. “We worry that the title deeds of our deceased ancestors may be deliberately misdirected to wrongful persons.
“Its nonsensical for a resolution to take this long.”
Phiri lives with her disabled granny and was herself disabled by an injury incurred during the infamous 1986 seven-day Alex Massacre. She said, “We agreed to the R5 concept to defend ourselves against corruption in housing allocation. I was injured when two political activists were killed in my granny’s home during the massacre.
“We should fight for our RDP houses.”
Makwela said there were also failed attempts by some people to close the project’s account when the bank was clarified of its purpose.
