11 units in 6 years: DA demands answers over R134 million oThongathi housing project

16 August 2023

Despite being launched six years ago, a R134million oThongathi housing project remains incomplete, with only 11 units under construction, all of which have now been vandalised.

The information forms part of a written parliamentary reply (view here) from KZN Human Settlements MEC, Sipho Nkosi, to questions by the DA.

The reply also confirms that the 248-unit uMbhayi development was originally launched by the department in 2017, with housing intended for residents living in a nearby informal settlement. Construction is due for completion in July 2026 and occupation due to commence from February/March next year.

It is unacceptable that this development is so far behind when KZN already has such a massive housing backlog. How the department will begin occupation in just a few months’ time remains to be seen.

KZN’s Department of Human Settlements can no longer drag its heels. The informal settlement dwellers, for whom this housing is intended, have been waiting six long years. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. There are many others facing a similar situation. Yet the department does not seem to care.

Delays also result in vandalism and - in some areas - illegal occupation. Then there are the budgetary challenges due to delays given that building material costs are escalating all the time.

According to the reply, funding for the project is from both the Department’s Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) and eThekwini’s Upgrading of Informal Settlements grant. To date, R87million has been spent - R15million from the HSDG allocation and R72million from the USDG allocation.

The reply also indicates that the contractor has not defaulted in any way. However, work was disrupted on one occasion by the so-called construction mafia.

KZN’s Department of Human Settlements continues to show extremely poor results in achieving its own performance targets. The DA is also aware that eThekwini has not built any new houses for several years, placing it in danger of losing its implementing agent status – if it is not lost already.

The people of KZN can no longer put up with a government that does not put their needs first. The 2024 elections will present them with the opportunity to save our province.

Issued by Marlaine Nair, DA KZN Spokesperson on Human Settlements, 16 August 2023