Concern over KZN RDP housing

Independent Newspapers

(File image) Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. Photo: Masi Losi

KwaZulu-Natal - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was met with many RDP housing concerns on her visit to KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.

Her spokeswoman Kgalalelo Masibi said grievances included an allegation that someone was given a toilet fitted with a geyser to live in, instead of a house.

“There were serious concerns regarding the role of councillors, including questions on who qualifies and 1/8who 3/8 gets a house,” Masibi said in a statement.

“Locals also raised concerns about sites that were allocated to people without subsidies to build houses, and waiting lists that disappeared from time to time.”

Madonsela met with residents from Hambanathi township and areas surrounding Tongaat, outside Durban, on Tuesday.

This formed part of her inquiry into problems with RDP houses, and the illegal conversion of panel vans into minibus taxis.

Public hearings were being held in every province, starting on July 12 and ending August 31.

Masibi said residents also raised concerns about the allocation of incomplete houses, and the role of engineers in certifying incomplete jobs. Other complaints included people jumping housing queues, and houses being sold to foreign nationals.

“Responding to the complaints, the Public Protector assured community members that she had heard their concerns, which she noted... confirmed the existence (of) endemic RDP housing challenges.”

Madonsela concludes her visit to the province at the Pietermaritzburg city hall on Wednesday. - Sapa