The multimillion-rand Komga Commonage housing project with its R30million water and sanitation infrastructure component started four years ago. Today it is an eyesore.
More than 1 100 VIP toilets worth an estimated R10-million stand on an empty field.
Some are built a few metres from a quarry and others are literally in the middle of the bush.
They were built by contractors employed by Amathole District Municipality (ADM).
Concerned Komga residents said the project was one of many where the government had failed its citizens, as not a single foundation or showhouse had yet been built.
They told the Dispatch not a word had come from officials on when the project would ever be finished.
Asked to comment on this, the human settlements department said it would be completed by 2021.
Komga resident Zolisa Panyaza said the state should have built the toilets along with houses as “no one will sleep in a toilet”.
“This project is mainly for Zone 10 people – those who were staying on farms. These people built toilets instead of houses, but who is going to stay in a toilet,” asked Panyaza.
ADM spokesman Siyabulela Makunga said their job was to deliver water and sanitation.
He said they were approached by the Great Kei municipality, together with the Eastern Cape human settlements department, with a plan to build low-cost houses in the area.
“Great Kei with the human settlements approached ADM in 2014, saying they were planning to construct 1 100 houses, and requested ADM to construct bulk services, which included bulk water and sanitation.
“Because of the water challenges in the area, we agreed to use VIP structures.
“The status of the project is 98% in bulk water and sanitation is at 100%,” said Makunga.
“The total budget cost for both water and sanitation is R29 983 577.”
Yesterday, Eastern Cape human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said their department was awaiting completion of the bulk infrastructure for the supply of water by ADM.
“It is a requirement that for any new development to take place, the capacity of the infrastructure must be able to carry the development.
“The project is 98% complete,” said Sicwetsha.
There would be 1 140 beneficiary families from the project, he added.
“The plans for 2018-19 are the appointment of a contractor and construction of internal roads.”
In 2019-20, phase 1 of the housing project would see 570 houses being built and in the 2020-21 financial year, phase 2 would see another 570 go up, Sicwetsha said.
The Dispatch recently visited the area and saw five contract workers busy working on a water reservoir, which is near completion.
Zone 10 residents, mainly from the farming communities around Komga, still stay in temporary structures they received over five years ago.
“Black people are always last in the queue and this housing project, despite millions already being spent on it, is as good as dead,” lamented Komga resident Hlubi Mabulu.
Toilets still waiting for houses on Komga hillside
More than 1 100 VIP toilets worth an estimated R10-million stand on an empty field.
Some are built a few metres from a quarry and others are literally in the middle of the bush.
They were built by contractors employed by Amathole District Municipality (ADM).
Concerned Komga residents said the project was one of many where the government had failed its citizens, as not a single foundation or showhouse had yet been built.
They told the Dispatch not a word had come from officials on when the project would ever be finished.
Asked to comment on this, the human settlements department said it would be completed by 2021.
Komga resident Zolisa Panyaza said the state should have built the toilets along with houses as “no one will sleep in a toilet”.
“This project is mainly for Zone 10 people – those who were staying on farms. These people built toilets instead of houses, but who is going to stay in a toilet,” asked Panyaza.
ADM spokesman Siyabulela Makunga said their job was to deliver water and sanitation.
He said they were approached by the Great Kei municipality, together with the Eastern Cape human settlements department, with a plan to build low-cost houses in the area.
“Great Kei with the human settlements approached ADM in 2014, saying they were planning to construct 1 100 houses, and requested ADM to construct bulk services, which included bulk water and sanitation.
“Because of the water challenges in the area, we agreed to use VIP structures.
“The status of the project is 98% in bulk water and sanitation is at 100%,” said Makunga.
“The total budget cost for both water and sanitation is R29 983 577.”
Yesterday, Eastern Cape human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said their department was awaiting completion of the bulk infrastructure for the supply of water by ADM.
“It is a requirement that for any new development to take place, the capacity of the infrastructure must be able to carry the development.
“The project is 98% complete,” said Sicwetsha.
There would be 1 140 beneficiary families from the project, he added.
“The plans for 2018-19 are the appointment of a contractor and construction of internal roads.”
In 2019-20, phase 1 of the housing project would see 570 houses being built and in the 2020-21 financial year, phase 2 would see another 570 go up, Sicwetsha said.
The Dispatch recently visited the area and saw five contract workers busy working on a water reservoir, which is near completion.
Zone 10 residents, mainly from the farming communities around Komga, still stay in temporary structures they received over five years ago.
“Black people are always last in the queue and this housing project, despite millions already being spent on it, is as good as dead,” lamented Komga resident Hlubi Mabulu.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos