Shocking state of Uthingo Park ‒ MEC promises solutions
Despite the rental boycott, the EHC has not instituted formal evictions at the facility
There could be some light at the end of the tunnel for residents of Uthingo Park.
This follows after a meeting between MEC for Human Settlement Speedy Mashilo, Emalahleni Local Municipality leadership and community representatives.
The meeting was held on Wednesday, October 6. In the meeting Mashilo stated his intentions to start a process to dissolve the Emalahleni Housing Company (EHC) to allow Uthingo Park to fall under the municipality.
However, the MEC still reiterated that social housing facilities delivered by the government are not for sale, but rental purposes.
The meeting was to address issues of rental boycott at the facility and the state of eMalahleni Housing Company after facing rental challenges in the recent past.
Some residents of Uthingo Park have not paid rent in more than four years and have vowed not to pay until their issues are resolved.
Despite the rental boycott, the EHC has not instituted formal evictions at the facility.
According to the Tenants Manual of 2003, in line with the rental option as defined in Handout 4 the housing company would for the first year offer only rental and later ownership.
Almost two decades later, some residents who have lived there since 2003 have not been given the option to buy the property as prescribed in the contract.
Residents have accused the Department of Human Settlement of being aware of the matter and dragging its feet to come up with solutions.
The other matter residents raised is the poor and dilapidated state of the facility and the lack of service delivery that have seen many residential units go without power for years.
They say the municipality and the EHC are violating their human rights and putting their health at risk by failing to fix the deplorable infrastructure and waste management.
Piles of dirt and refuse could be seen around the facility and sewerage water running in the streets.
MEC Mashilo did not indicate when he will give feedback to the disgruntled residents but has assured them that they will find solutions to the long-standing problems at Uthingo Park.
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