Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo will institute a forensic investigation to probe allegations of corruption into allocation of houses taking place as families are being relocated to Lehae - a new housing development, south of Johannesburg.
The corruption allegations were raised by aggrieved residents of Thembelihle informal settlement who are being relocated to Lehae due to the existence of dolomite in their area. A planned protest action by the Thembelihle Crisis Committee to raise the matter including lack of basic services such as water and electricity was recently averted following a commitment by MEC Mamabolo to meet community leaders.
Speaking to community leaders last night, MEC Mamabolo said the forensic audit will investigate all the housing lists of allocated beneficiaries in Lehae and those who have not yet benefitted in Thembelihle. MEC Mamabolo said allegations of housing allocation are rife and serious and will best be settled by instituting an independent forensic audit.
The department has recently appointed a forensic auditing firm to investigate similar allegations in at least three housing developments in the province including Westonaria
Borwa near Bekkersdal, Freedom Park, south of Johannesburg and
Winnie Mandela Informal settlement, Ekurhuleni.
MEC Mamabolo also committed to involving Eskom and Rand Water to assist in resolving issues raised by the community related to access to basic services. The lack of electricity has resulted in illegal connections which resulted in the death of a child last week, according to community leaders. The child was reportedly buried on Sunday in the North West.
The Council for Geo-science will also be invited to provide a report pertaining to the extent to which Thembelihle is affected by dolomite. Residents have expressed a wish for a housing development in portions of land not seriously affected by dolomite.
Editors Notes: Lehae is a mixed income housing development and will provide a total of 5 344 housing units which consist of the following: 3 066 subsidy houses (RDP), 770 rental units, 1 508 bonded units.
On completion, Lehae community will be home to the following socio-economic amenities: 6 Community centres, 2 Secondary schools, 2 Primary schools, 4 crèches, 8 sites for religious institutions, 2 taxi ranks, 4 business sites, 38 public open spaces.
For more information:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 079 529 5836
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
