Three years after a contractor abandoned an RDP housing project, Mount Frere residents are no closer to getting their homes.
About 40 families in Nkwazini village, Ward 17 who still live in mud structures, have been calling on the authorities to complete the houses.
However, all that remains of the project are empty shells which have become an eyesore.
The Nkwazini houses were part of a 1000-unit Lubhacweni housing project started around 2011.
Workers and sub-contractors who claim they were never paid, said there were scores of incomplete stands in Lubhacweni and Isijika villages.
They accused the main contractor, BCC Consortium, of fleeing with the money. The company could not be reached for comment.
Department of human settlement spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said two new contractors were appointed to finish the job.
“There are no payments owed to the contractor.”
Of the 40 incomplete units, only one has a tiled roof but is not yet habitable. Some are just piles of bricks, foundations or structures knee or waist high.
The stalled project has pitted workers against sub-contractors with violent confrontations.
One of the beneficiaries, 70-year-old pensioner Mabovu Moyana, said she had hoped to die with dignity living in her own house.
“It is painful because we had hopes of becoming better people. Our hearts are aching.”
Madoda Jwara said he was struggling to take care of his family.
The father of three said he was owed up to six months’ salary for working on the project.
“At times we go to bed on an empty stomach,” he said, adding that eight completed houses were officially handed over in Lubhacweni earlier this month.
Daniel Mshengu said he spent two weeks in jail last year after getting into a fight with his workers demanding their salaries.
He alleged he was owed R780000 for work since April last year.
“I was beaten up by workers who want their money and jailed after one of them broke his leg during the assault.
“My life is in danger because they want to hear none of it when you tell them there is no money. They don’t answer my calls.”
DA chief whip in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality councillor Bandile Mbewu described the situation as “fruitless and wasteful” expenditure.
“The ANC government is fooling around with our people and should take responsibility for failing to monitor the project.” — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
RDP homes still not completed
About 40 families in Nkwazini village, Ward 17 who still live in mud structures, have been calling on the authorities to complete the houses.
However, all that remains of the project are empty shells which have become an eyesore.
The Nkwazini houses were part of a 1000-unit Lubhacweni housing project started around 2011.
Workers and sub-contractors who claim they were never paid, said there were scores of incomplete stands in Lubhacweni and Isijika villages.
They accused the main contractor, BCC Consortium, of fleeing with the money. The company could not be reached for comment.
Department of human settlement spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said two new contractors were appointed to finish the job.
“There are no payments owed to the contractor.”
Of the 40 incomplete units, only one has a tiled roof but is not yet habitable. Some are just piles of bricks, foundations or structures knee or waist high.
The stalled project has pitted workers against sub-contractors with violent confrontations.
One of the beneficiaries, 70-year-old pensioner Mabovu Moyana, said she had hoped to die with dignity living in her own house.
“It is painful because we had hopes of becoming better people. Our hearts are aching.”
Madoda Jwara said he was struggling to take care of his family.
The father of three said he was owed up to six months’ salary for working on the project.
“At times we go to bed on an empty stomach,” he said, adding that eight completed houses were officially handed over in Lubhacweni earlier this month.
Daniel Mshengu said he spent two weeks in jail last year after getting into a fight with his workers demanding their salaries.
He alleged he was owed R780000 for work since April last year.
“I was beaten up by workers who want their money and jailed after one of them broke his leg during the assault.
“My life is in danger because they want to hear none of it when you tell them there is no money. They don’t answer my calls.”
DA chief whip in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality councillor Bandile Mbewu described the situation as “fruitless and wasteful” expenditure.
“The ANC government is fooling around with our people and should take responsibility for failing to monitor the project.” — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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