Fresh threat to occupy RDP homes

By Mogomotsi Magome

Residents in Mamelodi are threatening to illegally occupy Reconstruction and Development Programme houses following a delay in the allocation of their houses in Extension 5.

Impatient residents said they were fed up after plans to hand over the keys to the houses were put off for the second time on Tuesday.

They were invited to a meeting with Tshwane Metro Council housing officials on Monday. This was moved to on Tuesday, when everything concerning RDP houses in the area was to be explained.

However, when the Pretoria News arrived at the meeting on Tuesday at the Stanza Bopape housing centre, the officials left, claiming they were not in a position to speak to the media.

Some residents claim they were told their houses had not been approved, despite already having title deeds and approval letters.

"How can they say our houses have not been approved, when the initial letters they sent us confirm that we had been approved as beneficiaries? We have been waiting many years for these houses and now, when we are supposed to move in, there are many stories," said Anna Mofokeng.

She said residents suspected foul play in the whole process and no longer trusted the housing officials.

Another resident, Maria Mlambo, said she was tired of living in a shack when the house she was supposed to move into was complete.

"We are supposed to be moving into the houses this week because they are complete and ready for us to move in. That is what they told us, but now there is a clear attempt to avoid the whole process. At this point we are left with no alternative but to move into the houses ourselves," said Mlambo.

Threats of illegal occupation are not new in Mamelodi: some residents illegally occupied RDP houses in Nellmapius last year.

They cited delays in allocation of the houses, claiming corrupt officials were illegally selling them.

Ward councillor Sarah Kgashane was forced to calm the furious residents, most of whom had taken leave from work to attend to their housing matters.

Kgashane said she would try to get the housing officials to address the residents' grievances, even though she was not working for the housing division.

"It is not a secret that RDP housing issues are a problem in the area and people are desperate to move into their new homes," said Kgashane.

"Though I cannot confirm or deny the truth of all these allegations being made by the residents I represent, I am sure that once the housing officials are here they can clarify what the situation is."

Tshwane executive director for housing, Mmapule Phora, and the mayoral committee member responsible for housing, Absalom Ditshoke, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.