KINROSS – Mr Macaleni Mayisela (64), a Kinross resident, said he applied for RDP house in 2008 and was approved.
After receiving a message that he was approved to get an RDP house, he went to the municipality to find out when his house was going to be built.
Mr Mayisela claims that he was told the contractor was already building the house.
“I was shocked to learn that my house was being built for a municipal employee. This was revealed by a municipal official at the housing department who then said it will take me twenty years before I can get my RDP house.
“I complained at the ward councillor, but he just tells me to go to Nelspruit,” said Mr Mayisela.
Mr Mayisela and his wife live in a three-room shack at Kinross Extension 25 and they depend on his disability grant.
Mr Johannes Khumalo from eMbalenhle is facing a similar problem.
He claims his RDP house was built in another person’s yard.
Mr Khumalo visited the housing offices at the municipality and was told to inform his child to fill in new RDP house application forms because the person who took possession of his house has the title deed.
It will be impossible for Mr Khumalo to claim it.
“I’m now tired of listening to municipal officials’ stories.
“I want a house but they want me to take my child’s opportunity to own a house.
“My child can apply for his RDP house if he feels that he needs it. He should not be forced because the officials want to cover up their mess,” said Mr Khumalo.
Govan Mbeki Municipality’s communication department said the municipality will investigate the matter.
They requested the contact details for Messrs Mayisela and Khumalo.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality confirmed that Mr Macaleni Mayisela resides at Kinross and was approved for an RDP house in the year 2008.
However, his details were incorrectly captured and was therefore approved.
Mr Lucky Mhlongo, acting head of communication at GMM said the house was never built but payment claims were made by the contractor.
The municipality also confirmed that the said municipal employee was allocated a house in 2006.
“He applied for an RDP house in 2005 and his application was also approved on the stand.
“The house was thereafter built and payments were made under his name. A letter will be written to the provincial Department of Human Settlement (PDoHS) to request for investigations to be conducted in this case,” Mr Mhlongo said.
He said a further request will be made that Mr Mayisela be transferred to the current contractor which is on site to build his house. “We are still investigating the case of Mr Johannes Khumalo,” said Mr Mhlongo.
