Low-cost housing not for sale

28 February 2006

While the government is faced with a huge housing backlog, some beneficiaries are seen converting their houses into spaza shops, shebeens and selling them to illegal immigrants.

This is one of the problems that surfaced yesterday in Heidelberg Ext 23 and 26 where the MEC for Housing Ms Nomvula Mokonyane was handing over 1000 title deeds, together with the Lesedi Executive Mayor Ms Busi Modisakeng. The MEC explained that it was the community's responsibility to help the government in rooting out corrupt community members and to stop the illegal sale of low-cost housing. She also added that arrests will be made and the houses confiscated for the benefit of those who need them.

In the mean time, the beneficiaries were filled with gratitude and joy after receiving their title deeds. "I thank God for giving me a house with proper running water, a bathtub and electricity," said 91 year old Ms Jerminah Motaung. She also said that people needed to be patient because the government was doing all in its power to accommodate everyone.

The MEC also unveiled a plague at the newly built community clinic, funded and built by Ginaker LTA. The clinic is an 80 m 2 with a ceiling, electricity and running water and will be operational within a few days; a school is also expected to be built in the area.

With only a couple of hours left to Election Day, both the MEC and the mayor encouraged the community to exercise their rights by voting and making a wise choice.