By OBAKENG MAJE
George Moresetlhare (68) from Cokonyane village near Taung said he had lost hope in the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). Galeboe who stays in a mud four roomed house had since applied for a RDP house back in 2012 without any success.
Even though Section 26 of the Constitution stipulates that ‘everyone has the right to adequate housing, this is not any case regarding Galeboe’s matter. He said the disparity he continues to receive from the municipality resulted in frustration and dismay.
“I applied for a RDP house back in 2012, but the municipality continues to be incompetent. The officials there cannot explain what happened to my application. Instead, they continue to send me from pillar to post.
“I am living in dire conditions especially when it is rainy. The walls are collapsing and I had to use wires to hold them together. I really need shelter and anyone who can assist, please come forward,” he said.
The dejected Galeboe said he is a pensioner and even though he has children, they are also unemployed.
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Daddy Gaoraelwe said he is aware of Galeboe’s challenges. Gaoraelwe confirmed that indeed Galeboe had applied for a RDP and he had personally checked it.
“I have personally logged into the housing subsidy portal and indeed, the system shows that the application is validated, but on hold. However, the system cannot show when the application was received.
“In addition, there are a number of reasons why the application could be validated, but on hold. Some reasons might be that the applicant qualifies, but the attachments of beneficiaries are not in order,” he said.
Gaoraelwe further said another reason might be that the applicant may have applied for a RDP house elsewhere. However, he highlighted that the municipality will launch further investigations on the matter.
“When the application appears on the HHSS online, the applicant must be on the municipal database because the first step of application is the municipality’s Housing Demand Database of RDPs.
“But, appearing on the municipality database does not warrant a RDP provision because the municipality only deals with creating a database of needs. The municipality created the RDP House Demand Database (HDD) and submitted it to the North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) department,” said Gaoraelwe.
He added that the provision of the RDP houses is a competency of GOGHSTA. Gaoraelwe said will also engage with the department and check the status quo of Galeboe’s application.
“It is so unfortunate that we are having a very disconcerting backlog on the provision of RDP houses. However, if the need arises, we will have no choice but to prioritise the applicant.
“As the caring municipality, we have what we call the municipality’s temporary shack list for those who are waiting for a RDP or disaster house. I will go and evaluate the house and if it is in a disastrous condition, we will convert his application into a RDP house disaster application,” said Gaoraelwe.
He added that the municipality is waiting for accreditation and that will enable it to have powers in providing RDP houses without any challenges. Gaoraelwe said even though the process takes time, he is adamant that the municipality will be accredited.
The Guardian 