Department to audit illegal occupants of Monakato low cost houses
Monakato – Bokone Bophirima MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements Collen Maine has ordered an audit of illegal occupants who are staying in the newly built low cost houses in Slovo Extension 2 and 3 at Monakato village outside Rustenburg. The audit follows the concerns raised by residents that there is high illegal occupation which according to residents is a result of favouritism by the former councillor in the area. MEC Maine announced this when he was addressing community at the Monakato community hall recently.
Community members are alleging that some houses in the 514 housing unit project, were given to friends and relatives of the former councillor who do not appear on the list, and that some houses were sold at R300-00 each to some people. They are also alleging that the local councillor is also occupying a house which was allocated on the older person in the area.
MEC Collen Maine said all illegal occupants will have make way for the rightful owners of the houses. “We are going to audit the municipal and the provincial list of the beneficiaries so that we can get to the bottom of this. Those that appear on the provincial list are those that are supposed to occupy the houses because if they can’t, they will never get the houses as their names already appear on the provincial list. No nurses or police officers must stay in those houses because they do not qualify. We will evict the illegal occupants” said Maine.
The team will also investigate the allegations of the selling of houses. The department has also instructed the contractor to repair mistakes discovered in some houses, including the malfunctioning sewer system in some houses. Currently there are about 166 more houses which are to be built in the area. An additional number to top up will be announced in due course.
“As per our focus on Villages, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD), in all the project local people must be hired so that we depart important construction skills to local communities. By doing so, we will be creating employment opportunity and ensuring the economic growth which will decrease poverty and unemployment” remarked MEC Maine.
The audit team is to start with the work today, Tuesday 19 May 2015 and compare lists.
For enquiries:
Mr Ben Bole, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 4824
Cell: 071 566 1399
E-mail: MSBole@nwpg.gov.za
