The Democratic Alliance (DA) Human Settlements Oversight committee in Ekurhuleni recently conducted an unannounced site visit to Delhi Court and Karachi Court in Actonville.
According to Ward 29 Clr Haseena Ismail, the aim of the site inspection was to better understand the state of the flats following a recent council approval for upgrades.
“What we found was shocking,” explained Ismail.
“Millions had been allocated from public funds to facilitate the upgrading of the flats, with no visible improvements.
“The shoddy and unprofessional work conducted by the contractors proves how the ANC-led coalition is failing the people it is meant to serve.
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“These are two major flats in the area that have seemingly been forgotten by the metro as living conditions continue to deteriorate for these residents.
“Sharing a minimal budget for flats the size of Delhi Court and Karachi Court is not doing justice to the residents.
“Years of neglect have left the flats in a state of deterioration and the inadequate budget means council cannot catch up on maintenance repairs.
“These flats were supposed to be upgraded to improve the living conditions for those residents who call these flats home.
“They continue to pay market-related rentals for appalling living conditions.
“The failing ANC have again shown how they govern.
“As the DA we say enough is enough and call on the City of Ekurhuleni to treat the residents with dignity and respect and improve the living conditions.”
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe explained the human settlements department manages 64 flats and 25 hostels.
“The department is allocated R30-million annually for the refurbishment of the rental stock.
“Unfortunately, the budget is not enough to cover all the properties.
“The department thus prioritises specific works that have to be carried out within the properties.
“During the 2017/2018 financial year, the department undertook projects to refurbish the construction joints and plumbing at Delhi and Karachi courts at a cost of R2.3-m.
“Consultants were appointed to monitor and project-manage contractors on site.
“Work done is of good quality and the biggest issue was the lack of sufficient funds to refurbish the buildings in their entirety.
“This was well communicated to the councillor.
“It is false and malicious that there were no contractors on site.
“Local unskilled workers were contractors as part of the local content and this was done in consultation with assistance from the councillor’s office.
“Regarding any work that was found to be of bad quality; the contractors were called back to site for corrections under the six months liability period.
“The city has requested, numerous times, from the councillor’s office that any complaints relating to the work done must be forwarded to the city for attention and that has not been done,” said Gadebe.
He elaborated on the funds spent on the upgrades to both Delhi Court and Karachi Court.
Between 2011 and 2016 the following was spent on the two complexes:
• Delhi court R1 404 606.19
• Karachi Court R957 759.38
For general maintenance and for the refurbishment the following amounts were spent:
• Delhi Court R2 451 764.43
• Karachi Court R3 362 340.58
“Hence, it is not true that the two complexes are forgotten by the city,” concluded Gadebe.
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