“This project is at a complete standstill and the MMC of Human Settlements Lesiba Mpya, has not intervened or come forth with any information or solutions for the beneficiaries who are eagerly waiting for their houses,” Wollaston Labuschagne (DA ward councillor) said.
In reply to questions submitted by Labuschagne, MMC Mpya confirmed that the latest estimated completion date is March 2021. This after the MMC announced that the project would have been completed in July last year.
When asked why the contractors left the site at the end of December, the MMC responded with the following statement: “The Housing Development Agency (HDA) appointed two contractors for the top structures (houses) and their contracts expired. The HDA has since submitted a request for contract extensions to the National Treasury and is awaiting a response,” Mpya said.
According to Mpya, only 50 of the 600 houses have been completed and successfully allocated to their beneficiaries. However, information received suggests that some members of the community have illegally occupied these houses and refuse to leave.
The MMC confirmed that two officials that were involved in this project were suspended towards the end of last year.
The previous project manager was suspended on allegations of financial mismanagement and insubordination and the other official on allegations of financial misconduct.
“Residents in Alra Park and Mackenzieville have been waiting for many years for decent housing and sadly they will wait even longer. It is clear that MMC Mpya is not capable of managing his department or the contractors. His lethargy has resulted in the grave inconvenience and deprivation of the poor, homeless and unemployed residents of the CoE. Yet again, innocent residents have to suffer due to the incompetence of the CoE’s leaders,” Labuschagne concluded.
