Ekurhuleni’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlement, Clr Aubrey Nxumalo, addressed the crowd and gave them a detailed report of the process.
According to Nxumalo, a total of 154 houses are ready, although only 138 houses were given to home owners on the day.
The remaining 16 still have a few outstanding issues to be fixed, such as the installation of water meters and running water.
Nxumalo said a second phase of houses consisting of 178 units will be built by July 2, as part of the Combisa Project.
Lizzy Mqhuma (81) is one of the beneficiaries who was allocated a house by Nxumalo.
Mqhuma said she has been staying in a two-room shack for over 10 years with her family.
Holding back tears of joy, Mqhuma said: “I applied for this house in 1996; I never thought I would ever get it.”
“Last year in August, a portion of my shack was burnt down by a candle; luckily no one got hurt.
“Today I’m happy that my grandchildren will have a warm and safe home this winter.”
Shack dwellers were assisted in moving their belongings into their new homes by the Red Ants Relocation and Eviction Services on Sunday (May 15).
Also read: Plan to make Ekurhuleni safer
