The DA in Mpumalanga will urgently approach the MEC of CoGHSTA, Speedy Mashilo, over discrepancies that were identified in a socio-economic study report which was compiled by the legislature in September this year.
This comes after it emerged that the department is struggling to complete low-cost housing projects in Mkhondo Local Municipality.
Specifically referring to a project in Retiefville, it came to light that although this project commenced in the 2017/2018 financial year, it is still incomplete. At inception, this project was meant to provide 262 low-cost housing units, yet to date only 242 units are complete.
It was also found that some of the units do not have access to water because the area that was identified for the development is waterlogged.
In addtion, there are also underlying Eskom cables and a dumping site which made this development impossible. It is understood that this has further reduced the number of sites for the projects.
Below is some of the challenges that are detailed in the report:
- Some of the units do not have access to water because of the sites they are situated in.
- Some houses cannot be occupied because of the sites they are constructed in.
- The service provider was paid for the construction of houses that are not occupied.
Noting some of these challenges, it is worth asking if the department did undertake the necessary feasibility study before commencing with this project.
In some projects, the department is facing challenges from contractors that are not in compliance with the National Home Building Registration Council (NHBRC), as a result their contracts are being terminated.
The department needs to review all these challenges and take accountability. In some instances, the department has shown signs of negligence. The DA will not relent, we will continue holding the ANC administration to account.