The City of Joburg whip, Angie Manganyi says people should seek information from credible sources such as government offices and not just anyone who comes along.
She was responding to reports that people have been made to believe that paying R35 will get them a decent house
and have been lining up in Pimville to apply for house by just bringing their ID copies and R35.
Some people who applied for the houses are concerned about the dealings of the ‘dodgy’.
They say applications are done at an open space and the process is too easy.
Those that register are shown a sketch of their dream houses, which are described as having three bedrooms and a fridge, microwave, built in kitchen units and two tiled rooms.
The applicants are reportedly told that they do not have to pay a deposit, just a monthly bond installment of R400 for 20 years.
In 2013, a similar situation occurred in Meadowlands where residents were promised houses and told to give out R5 each whenever meetings were held.
Manganyi said it sounded too good to be true.
She said there is a housing backlong within the City and the issue of housing is not an easy one to solve.
Councillor Sphiwe Mbongo said people should be on alet for bogus housing projects.
“It is easy for people to fall into the trap of believing housing projects that claim not to demand much from people because they are so desperate to own houses
“They end up getting disappointed when their expectations are not met,” he said.
