Corruption robs the poor of their dignity, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale told hundreds of beneficiaries at the launch of Klarinet Integrated Housing project this morning.
The R3,5 billion mixed housing project that will produce 12 000 houses over the medium to long term is a partnership between the National Department of Human Settlements, it’s provincial counterpart, the Department of Energy, ABSA and the Emalahleni Local Municipality.
“My job is to follow the money,” Sexwale told the gathering. “Please make sure that you report any kind of corruption that takes place because it is the poor whose dignity gets eroded when such activities occur.”
Mpumalanga MEC for Human Settlements Siphosezwe Masango appealed to the more than 400 beneficiaries not to sell their houses to go back and register in the housing queue in the squatter camps and then create problems for government.
The Klarinet Integrated Housing project will comprise of more than 11 969 housing units that include 5 699 subsidised housing units, 2 322 institutional housing units and 3 948 bonded units. The settlement will also have a clinic, schools and a library, among others.
Emalahleni Local Municipality Executive Mayor Salome Sithole said Witbank was experiencing an economic boom and this was putting pressure on the city’s housing programme as it had to find shelter for the people flocking to the city in search of better opportunities.
“Our municipality has to start planning for another new city because the construction of the Kusile Power Station is going to add pressure on our housing and infrastructure development programme,” said Sithole.
General Manager for ABSA Development Company Luthando Vuthula told the gathering that the bank was committed in partnering with government to contribute in the development of the country.
“We don’t intend to deliver just houses. We want to build schools, clinics and other social amenities to create sustainable human settlements,” said Vuthula.
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Sexwale launches R3,5 billion housing project in Mpumalanga
