The work has recommenced in a 6721 serviced sites/stand Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) project at Rondebosch in Middelburg, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. This follows the introduction of additional service providers (contractors) which is an intervention by Human Settlements MEC, Mr Speed Mashilo who met with previously aggrieved parties to address the impasse. The halt that lasted almost a month was as a result of apparent non-payment of wages to labourers and sub-contractors.
The Rondebosch multi-year servicing of sites project will yield 5 591 BNG housing units, 907 First Home Finance units, 8 796 residential housing units, 1 428 units for medium residential stands and 1 100 high-density residential stands. An additional 43 stands are reserved for socio-economic purposes. To date, phase one of the project comprising of 2 226 stands has been completed and construction of the top structures is set to commence once the project enrolment with the National Home Registration Council (NHBRC) has been finalised.
MEC Mashilo warned that project stoppages are bad for beneficiaries and government’s urgent need to deliver services. “Project strikes do no good to a bigger objective to afford shelter to the needy and eradicating informal settlements. Businesses must assist us (government) by ensuring that work given to them is delivered without glitches, thus we fast-track services”, he warned. Mashilo added that he would follow through on progress on-site to detect the risk of potential stoppages. Meanwhile, Local Executive Mayor, Cllr Mhlonishwa Masilela welcomed the intervention by the department stating that, “this will go a long way in addressing housing needs in his locality and bring about much needed requirement.
Furthermore, Mashilo called on municipalities to make serviced sites available to those who want to build for themselves. “As we continue with our work to service sites across the province, municipalities must advertise these sites and get people to occupy them as per municipal prescripts”, advised Mashilo. The rapid land release programme should help in reducing the housing backlog of about 250 000 in the Province.
Similar projects are being rolled out across the province in areas gazetted by the Minister as Priority Development Areas (PDAs). These projects are taking place in Steve Tshwete, Msukaligwa, Govan Mbeki, Dipaliseng, Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge, Mkhondo, Chief Albert Luthuli, eMalahleni, and City of Mbombela Local Municipalities.
ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
MPUMALANGA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
CONTACT: FREDDY NGOBE – 013 766 6014 / 082 859 4630/ flngobe@mpg.gov.za