The state-owned Cape Town Community Housing Company (CTCHC) has failed to deliver on its promise for quality, low-cost housing, Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said on Tuesday.
Leon visited Hanover Park in Cape Town earlier in the day.
”Today, I visited the Davids family in Newfields Village, whose home was built without a ceiling and without electricity.
”I also saw the house built for Mrs McFarlane, who requested a house without stairs because she is old and frail, but received a home with stairs anyway,” said Leon.
”I then visited Mrs Daniels and Mrs Cassiem in Hope Crescent, whose houses still suffer leaks and dampness, even after the CTCHC’s failed R30-million ‘patch-up’ programme.”
Leon said the City of Cape Town and the CTCHC have to deliver on their promises of quality housing.
”The DA stands with the residents of Newfields Village and Hanover Park in their demand that all defects in their houses be fixed. We will oppose any attempt by the city to intimidate them into accepting anything less,” he said.
He said the CTCHC accumulated a loss of nearly R33-million in 2004 and only built 42 houses despite holding on to R40-million in provincial subsidies that could have built 1 800 homes.
Similar situations are found in other provinces.
”The pattern is one in which the African National Congress sacrifices proper planning and oversight in order to meet short-term political objectives.
”The big losers are the poor families who are forced to accept these structures as their homes, and the ratepayers who must pay for it all,” said Leon.
The City of Cape Town and the CTCHC were not immediately available for comment. — Sapa