MEC Mamabolo calls for elders to be prioritised in Badirile after delays in completing houses
Gauteng MEC for COGTA and Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo has called for the houses of elderly and other vulnerable citizens to be prioritised for completion in Badirile, Brandvlei. MEC Mamabolo, who was joined by Randfontein Executive Mayor Mzi Khumalo, was speaking today when government handed the site over to the contractor to complete work on the vandalised houses.
The project which was 292 houses faced numerous challenges that led to some of the houses not having basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation.
Other houses were further vandalised leaving them without windows and doors making it hard for residents to move in them.
Mamabolo said that government went to the area to officially hand over the project to the contractor who will make sure the houses are of high quality and meet all the standards which will include installation of basic services such as water, electricity, sanitation and fixing the damages made by vandals. Eskom is already on standby to electrify completed units.
“I firstly want to apologise to the residents for the delays. Now that the contractor is on site I want them to prioritise the houses of the elderly and other vulnerable members of this community. They must have a wonderful Christmas in houses that are of high quality standard,” MEC said.
Mamabolo said that all the houses will be completed by the end of the financial year in March 2016.
The MEC said also that a storage facility will be created in order to accommodate the belongings of those who had moved into their houses in an attempt to protect them from vandalism. Their belongings will be stored in the storage facility while their houses are being fixed
One of the residents who moved into one of the incomplete houses, Magdeline Lekalakala, 86, said that she was happy to see the MEC and she will be able to sleep properly when the house has been fixed.
“My home does not have water and electricity and we cannot use the toilet, I am happy to see that leaders have come to see our situation and will fix it. I am also happy that my house has been chosen to be one of the first to be fixed,” she said
Anna Mathunzi, 44, who shares her house with her eight family members said that it was hard to live in a house without some basic services but was happy government responded to their plea.
Executive Mayor of Randfontein Mzi Khumalo said that the contractor will be introduced to the community and hopes that once that is done there won’t be any delays in the housing project. Khumalo said that the municipality will further present a plan to the community so that everyone is aware of how the project will work.
For more information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Tel: 011 355 4873
Cell: 079 897 2240
