OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 9.00PM.
GAUTENG housing department head Mogopodi Mokoena, reacting to calls by the National and Democratic parties to a probe into the into the awarding of a R412,5 million subsidised housing project, said that the proper procedures were followed in giving the project to a developer with links to the Provincial Housing Board’s chairman.
At the centre of the controversy is a deal in which Keith Lawrence, a private developer, will build the houses after apparently facilitating with board chairman Martin van Zyl in order to get the project.
Van Zyl confirmed that he was paid a facilitation fee by the company, but said did not take part in board meetings when the project was discussed.
“The department wishes to reiterate that it ensured that legal, financial and technical evaluations were done in terms of the applicable policy directives.” Mokoena said on Monday.