Forestdale residents say that RDP houses were built really badly
The general consensus is that many of the houses are the victims of poor workmanship, with cracks in the walls, broken hinges on the doors, ceilings falling apart, no streetlights and massive sewerage line problems where raw sewage runs into the houses and is a health hazard to young children.
Tempers flared and many questions were asked at the community meeting which was held at the Forestdale Hall on Thursday.
Chairing the meeting, Councillor Zitha Shalembe of the ANC listened to the community’s grievances regarding RDP houses and perceived poor quality workmanship.
Unhappy residents demanded answers as to why inspections were not done in 2016 when all the RDP houses were completed, before the hand-overs to beneficiaries. It was also said that the houses were handed over without title deeds being signed after three months of receiving the houses.
Community members who attended the meeting said they want answers from the relevant officials as to why municipal engineers did not do proper inspections with the plans that were drawn up by the consultants who were appointed. “Inspections should’ve been done before the houses were built!” fumed one irate resident. The general consensus is that many of the houses are the victims of poor workmanship, with cracks in the walls, broken hinges on the doors, ceilings falling apart, no streetlights and massive sewerage line problems where raw sewage runs into the houses and is a health hazard to young children.
Community member Mac Osman, who is representing the Forestdale community’s concerns as a co-ordinator at meetings with the newly-elected committee and the municipality, says it’s a big challenge to resolve all the issues in the near future. He hopes that all grievances will be ironed out by the end of this year.
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