THE PRESIDENCY REJECTS MEDIA REPORTS ON THE PHALATSE FAMILY HOUSE

The Presidency rejects media reports alleging that President Jacob Zuma had planned to handover a house allocated to a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) beneficiary, Ms Velaphi Nkosi, to the Ontlametse family to fulfil his promise to the family of the late Ontlametse Phalatse.

Miss Phalatse had before her passing paid a courtesy call on the President on the eve of her 18th birthday earlier this year, wherein the President made a promise to fulfil her wishes for a family house.

The process is underway to build Ontlametse's mother a house at the family plot in Hebron, north of Pretoria.

The house plan has been lodged with the Madibeng Local Municipality for approval. Once it has been approved, which is expected in the next few weeks, the building of the house will commence.

The Presidency received information a few months ago that a certain house in Mamelodi was being taken away from the rightful beneficiary to be given to the Ontlametse family. The Presidency intervened and stopped the handover ceremony and directed that the said house be given to the rightful beneficiary. This information was given to City Press but the newspaper decided to omit it and published a one-side incorrect story.

President Zuma remains committed to fulfilling his undertaking to help the Phalatse family obtain a home to fulfil his undertaking to the late Ontlametse.

Statement issued by Dr Bongani Ngqulunga, The Presidency, 3 October 2017