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Housing units to be handed over to Nkomazi for occupation

The spokesperson for the Department of Human Settlements, Freddy Ngobe, said the housing project began in September 2020 and will finally be handed over to the Nkomazi Local Municipality in February 2025.

The 40 residential units in Malalane’s Ext 21 have been completed and are currently undergoing the final stage of external touch-ups.

This is a community project that was launched about four years ago for the community of Ext 21 through the Community Residential Units (CRU) Programme. The area will also be the home of an office complex housing several government departments. The Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements appointed Avax SA 181 for the construction of the project and the site was handed over during the 2020/21 financial year just after the announcement of the Covid-19 lockdown.

According to the department’s spokesperson, Freddy Ngobe, the project started in September 2020 and will finally be handed over to the Nkomazi Local Municipality in February 2025. The construction, which has been ongoing for the past four years, will be completed to make way for the next phase, according to Ngobe.

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“The project was launched in September 2020 to deliver 200 units. To date, a total of 40 units have been practically completed and are currently undergoing external touch-ups. Budget cuts to the Human Settlements Development Grant by the national department affected the implementation of the project, hence the delays and pauses. However, the 40 units have successfully been completed and the remaining ones are planned to be completed during the 2025/26 financial year.”

This multiyear project, with a total construction cost of over R122m, will yield a total number of 200 units, a community hall, a child-care centre and an office complex.

“Once the units have been completed and are ready for occupation, they will be handed over to the municipality for allocation,” he added.

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Regarding the railway line close by, Ngobe said there are measures in place to ensure the safety of the tenants. “As part of the scope of work, a boundary wall will be constructed to separate the railway line from the CRU as a measure to ensure their safety.”

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