Corruption gates blocking Meriting residents
MIDRAND – Hundreds of Meriting residents are victims of a scam which is preventing them from receiving RDP houses.
The people of Meriting Informal Settlement in Kaalfontein, Midrand, now have some answers as to why 300 people who are in possession of valid C-forms, entitling them to RDP houses, are still living in shacks.
Earlier in November, the proportional representation councillor for Ward 92, Julie Suddaby said, “Since August last year, residents have been asking about their houses. There seemed to be no logical reasons for the delay, as other residents who applied for houses had received them.
“I called on my colleague, councillor Suzanne Clarke, the chairperson of the City’s Section 79 Oversight Committee on Housing, to address residents on the issue.
“Many of the people in possession of valid C-forms are on record as having received their RDP houses from the City.”
Allegedly a contractor had been paid for the delivery of 300 completed RDP houses, yet it also alleged that there is not one completed structure into which a family can move, and the contractor is nowhere to be seen.
Clarke explained to the residents that the process of the receipt of an RDP house was a complicated one.
Read: The city’s RDP housing projects set to eradicate informal settlements
“Being in possession of a C-form does not imply that that resident would get a house or serviced stand, automatically,” said Clarke.
Other criteria that apply to receiving an RDP house are:
- Residents should be South African
- Have at least one dependent
- Must have not previously benefited from the City’s housing scheme
- Have an income of less than R3 500 per month
- Qualify for a subsidised loan
- Be a first-time homeowner.
“The first task we have to do now is to remove the flag indicating they have benefited from housing, from their names. The next step will be for the City to redefine the size and position of serviced stands,” Clarke said.
The City of Joburg is yet to comment on the above reports.
Which other communities have fallen victim to such scams, and what should be done about those people who rent out their RDP homes for money and live in shacks.
