More than 100 houses were finally received by Sinqobile residents in Kagiso on the West Rand after a housing project that began in 2003 was completed, the Gauteng housing department said on Sunday.
”The long wait for houses has finally ended … with bulk infrastructure like water, sewers, toilet structures and storm-water drains installed. The houses were built with roof tiles,” said spokesperson Aviva Manqa.
Gauteng housing minister Nomvula Mokonyane handed over the houses to beneficiaries in the area.
”Amongst those who received a house was 57-year-old Pauline Rose Ntlhapo, who was staying at Kagiso Boiketlo informal settlement. She will be staying with her two grandchildren in the new house,” he said.
Manqa said the project did, however, hit a snag when the contractor was dismissed for failing to deliver. A new contractor was then appointed in May this year to complete the project.
Mokonyane said the department will not tolerate non-performance. ”Our relationship with developers and contractors is not a permanent one. Where there’s shoddy work or non-performance, we will not hesitate to act,” she said.
”The handing over of these houses is another way of demonstrating to our people that delivery is happening in every area and therefore we want to commend the people of Sinqobile for being patient. This is not the last housing development; we want to assure our people that we are coming to your area too,” said Mokonyane.
In addition to the handing over of houses, Mokonyane also gave title deeds to residents of Kagiso for houses built during the apartheid era. ”This is government’s commitment to give people ownership of their properties,” she said. — Sapa