Tensions reach boiling point over Dennesig North stands
Chaos has erupted in town over the sale of Dennesig North stands.
Last week, hundreds of potential homeowners received letters from the municipality about their applications for the stands, including a date for the sale on July 30.
The council approved the sale of 712 stands, with 100 reserved for municipal members and councillors.
The stands will be made available to the community at market value, with preference given to first-time buyers. Sixty percent of the available stands will be ring-fenced for the previously disadvantaged, including black, brown, and Indian buyers.
On Monday, disgruntled residents protested outside the municipality against the process.
Some residents picketed in Rockdale and claimed they were assaulted by the police.
They believe the process was tampered with, alleging that people were receiving calls from municipal workers claiming they had missing documents and incomplete forms, and requesting R2 000.
A WhatsApp voice note has also been circulating of a municipal worker allegedly requesting a R2 000 bribe from a potential buyer. The municipal employee has reportedly been suspended.
The residents want the process to be halted and submitted a memorandum. Last Saturday, the municipality urged those who had not picked up their letters to do so and to inquire about any points needing clarity.
One resident said she had to wait in a long, snaking queue for three hours, and the line moved very slowly.
Furthermore, there was no clear information being given to the applicants.
• In May, Mdu Masilela (Municipal Director for Government and Council Support) was suspended over a barrage of allegations relating to the sale of Dennesig North stands, as well as the sale of two industrial stands in close vicinity to the Middelburg Mall. Masilela allegedly approved the sale of 698 Dennesig North stands whereas the council approved the sale of 712.
• In June 2022, a raffle was suspended after residents were not satisfied with the number of raffle cards withdrawn from the first-time buyer box. Residents disrupted the raffle process after suspecting municipal officials had rigged the sale.
