Controversy rages around RDP houses in Velwano in Mdantsane NU1 even as 16 residents finally move into their newly built homes.
They have been waiting for over a year since the housing project started.
Beneficiary Jack Hempe, 64, said he was initially scared to enter but now he is overjoyed with his new home.
“People from the neighbouring informal settlement Nkompeni, had threatened to keep us out of the new houses, but since they did not bother to come and discuss the matter with the officials who handed over the houses on Thursday, I am at ease.”
Hempe said since 1979 he had lived in a shack on the property on which his new house has been built. He had first been promised a house in 1990.
Sicelo Zisile, 45, said he was never intimidated by the Nkompeni residents.
“I have been living on this land for more than 20 years. I am entitled to the house and nobody can take it away from me.”
Zisile said the house was now a home to his family of four.
There was a stir when Nkompeni residents claimed they were entitled to the property because they had title deeds.
Nkompeni residents – who have been living in dome-like structures made of fiberglass, former living spaces for railway workers – also claim they were promised houses on the same land.
These residents said they were never consulted by the municipality before they started building on the land.
Dumisani Dyeyi, the appointed spokesman for the Nkompeni camp, said the residents were now divided.
“Most of us have agreed we will wait on the law to take its course, and we will be meeting our lawyers about the matter today, but some are adamant they will anyone who enters the property.”
Dyeyi said they were eager to see how the department of housing and the municipality would solve the situation, as they are also waiting for houses. “We’re not fighting with the people of Velwano, but like them, we also want new homes,” Dyeyi said.
Several calls made to ward councillor Landile Vika and BCM communications officer Keith Ngesi for comment were not answered by the time of writing. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Community divided over RDP houses
They have been waiting for over a year since the housing project started.
Beneficiary Jack Hempe, 64, said he was initially scared to enter but now he is overjoyed with his new home.
“People from the neighbouring informal settlement Nkompeni, had threatened to keep us out of the new houses, but since they did not bother to come and discuss the matter with the officials who handed over the houses on Thursday, I am at ease.”
Hempe said since 1979 he had lived in a shack on the property on which his new house has been built. He had first been promised a house in 1990.
Sicelo Zisile, 45, said he was never intimidated by the Nkompeni residents.
“I have been living on this land for more than 20 years. I am entitled to the house and nobody can take it away from me.”
Zisile said the house was now a home to his family of four.
There was a stir when Nkompeni residents claimed they were entitled to the property because they had title deeds.
Nkompeni residents – who have been living in dome-like structures made of fiberglass, former living spaces for railway workers – also claim they were promised houses on the same land.
These residents said they were never consulted by the municipality before they started building on the land.
Dumisani Dyeyi, the appointed spokesman for the Nkompeni camp, said the residents were now divided.
“Most of us have agreed we will wait on the law to take its course, and we will be meeting our lawyers about the matter today, but some are adamant they will anyone who enters the property.”
Dyeyi said they were eager to see how the department of housing and the municipality would solve the situation, as they are also waiting for houses. “We’re not fighting with the people of Velwano, but like them, we also want new homes,” Dyeyi said.
Several calls made to ward councillor Landile Vika and BCM communications officer Keith Ngesi for comment were not answered by the time of writing. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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