The RDP housing scheme was derived by democratic government to help poor people from the informal settlement so as to get rid of the shacks.
But according to community members it seems to be a different story in Villa Liza.
It is alleged the scheme has changed from helping poor people to benefit the rich ones.
During April, residents of the community set new RDP houses alight while windows and doors of another 84 RDP homes were damaged.
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The violence followed frustration in the community over the apparent dubious allocation of the RDP houses to the initial 34 beneficiaries.
“This allocation of RDP housing is just disgusting,” said one of the angry villagers, who wished to remain anonymous.
“It seems the recent violence that led to burning down of one of the officials’ homes and a car did not teach these greedy people any lesson, because they still do exactly what led to the violence.”
Another angry resident told the Advertiser of her own experience pertaining the promise that one of the officials failed to keep because she had no money to pay.
“I was once promised a house by one of the officials after pleading with him to help me and my family to move out of the one-room cottage we are renting,” said the resident.
“This official told me to bring in documents so that he will start to process the application. I did as I was told and was then told that my name was going to put on the waiting list.
“Two weeks later the official again promised me I would be moving soon to my new RDP home. I was overwhelmed with joy.
“He even took me to the house to show it to me.
“Two weeks after I saw the house again I was informed the time is almost at hand to move, I just need to wait for the title deed to be changed to my name.
“After another two weeks of waiting, I was told by my friend who resides in the same street as where the supposed house is that a new occupant had moved in.
“In shock, I phoned the official to ask him what happened but he did not pick up the phone. Until today I’m still waiting for the promise to be kept.”
