14 December 2006
The Gauteng MEC for Housing, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, officially handed over
completed Sicelo Shiceka housing project to the Midvaal Local Municipality in
Sedibeng today.
Sicelo Shiceka came into being in 1996 after farm workers from the
surrounding farms settled in the then informal settlement. Most of these
residents were either evicted or had lost their jobs in the farms.
In 2002, the Department of Housing intervened wherein it serviced the land
through the installation of water and sewer pipes. This year the department
resolved to build proper houses for the residents of Sicelo Shiceka. The
department entered into project linked consolidation subsidy agreement with
Gamont Development for the construction of these units in March this year.
At least 1 000 of the targeted 1 089 houses have been completed with
beneficiaries already moving in. These four-room houses with water and sewer
reticulation system have been built with toilets inside to discourage resident
from erecting backyard shacks.
Mokonyane said, âThe Gauteng Provincial Government is committed to improve
lives of the poor through quality and sustainable housing developments such as
this one. No developer in the province should build a house that is less than
36 square meters with at least two bedrooms. The houses we are handing over
today are an asset base and would in future be used as a surety to access
finance from financial institution.
Our approach to have the toilets inside the house will go a long way in
helping us maintain the value of the houses as this will prevent the
mushrooming of shacks. We are aware that landlords are reluctant to allow their
tenants to use their private toilets as opposed to an outside one".
The MEC also urged the beneficiaries to desist from selling their houses as
this derails the delivery of houses.
âNo one is allowed to sell a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)
house before owning that property for more than eight years. I would like to
urge all the beneficiaries who cannot be traced to come forward so that they
can occupy their stands,â said Mokonyane.
The Department also entered into an agreement with the construction company,
Gamont that all the new structures should be electrified and all existing
informal structures should be dismantled.
A total of R30 million was budgeted for this housing project and 150 jobs
were created for local people.
Enquiries:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 082 561 3768
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 083 602 6169
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
14 December 2006
