Toekies residents take a stand over housing project

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has come under fire and is accused of not following due processes in the allocation of newly built houses at the Western Mega Project in Toekomsrus.

This is the information gathered during the Randfontein Herald’s visit to the area on August 22 and following incidents of house invasions by residents.

The residents said they had to take matters into their own hands and move into the new houses to ensure that locals are the beneficiaries of the project and that they occupy 80 percent of the houses built in their own community. This comes after the department handed out a total of 22 out of the 285 houses built.

Speaking to the Herald, resident Bruce Stevens said they were claiming what is rightfully theirs and added they felt that they were not being prioritised by the government in the allocation of the houses.

“This is the first development to ever take place in Toekomsrus since 1994 and we feel that the process that was followed by the department in the allocation of houses was flawed. We feel that a lot of the houses, that have already been handed out, have been given to people that are not from this area. While we do not have a problem with other people benefiting from government houses, we want 80 percent of these houses to be received by people who are born and bred here,” argued Stevens.

He added that the Red Ants were called to the area to evict residents who had invaded the houses but left shortly thereafter as residents were peaceful and demanded to engage with relevant authorities.

According to Stevens, the people who occupied the houses have been on the database for years and emphasised that they are deserving of the houses.

The Herald also spoke to another resident, Marius Mere, who shared the same sentiments. He added this is the first mega housing project in their area and that residents of the area should have preference.

Meanwhile, the Herald also spoke to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements’ head of communications, Tahir Sema, who said they are aware of the situation in Toekomsrus.

“The houses handed over have water and sewer connections and internal electrical reticulation is currently underway. It is important to note that communities that will benefit from Western Mega are within a 4km radius of the actual project. The communities in question are Toekomsrus, dumping site informal settlements, Bundu Inn, Bhongweni Area, and Mohlakeng hostel and these are the communities that will form part of the project,” said Sema.

Addressing the situation of the lack of bulk infrastructure such as sewer, water, and electricity connections which was highlighted by the DA, including local ward councillor Balderic Dreyer in their recent oversight visit to the area, Sema said the bulk infrastructure of any project is rolled out in phases.

“There is sufficient water and sewer for the units under construction. Bulk electrical improvements have been completed, internal electrical reticulation is underway and all electricity work under construction is expected to be completed by March 2024. The project is a multi-year project to be implemented in phases. It is expected to yield 9 385 units of different typologies upon completion.

“To date the project has yielded 2 641 serviced stands, 360 units, and 285 breaking new ground units, with only 75 incomplete houses and work is in progress,” Sema concluded.