An investigation has been launched into the alleged housing scam at the new extension in Sibongile where houses have been illegally rent outed by members of the Housing Committee and other homes given to those who are undeserving.
The houses were earmarked for those who have never before owned a house and earn a bare minimum wage. However, many houses have been given out to friends and relatives by unscrupulous officials. Others have been rented out and the rent money collected by officials.
Mzwakhe Sithebe of the Endumeni Civic Association, said they had received numerous complaints from deserving people who had applied for houses but whose requests were either ignored or they were allocated a house but never given the erf number.
“This is when we realised something fishy was going on. Those houses, whose real owners had not been given a site number, were simply rented out by unscrupulous people who were there to allocate homes to those who have been waiting for years for the house they deserve.” The Human Settlements Department is currently busy with a probe. On a more positive note, contractors,
On a more positive note, contractors, Mazcon, have wrapped up the building of the houses – over 500 in total.
The quality of the houses has been praised by housing officials and Mazcon has been given a contract to build houses at Forestdale and at Craigside.
Rae Bester took his aerial video of the new housing extension in Sibongile:
