Picture: Incomplete RDP houses in the Dr Ruth Segomotsai Mompati District/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Backlog in the construction of RDP houses continues to be a challenge in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. It is alleged that the government has spent millions of rands on contractors, who were appointed to build RDP houses but never did.
The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Motswana said they conducted oversight visits at Amalia, Schweizer Reneke, and Glaudina, where they engaged with various beneficiaries.
“This forms part of the Legislature’s oversight week in various municipalities under the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. The program is aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation and to promote accountability and transparency in government.
“During the program, Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) interact with different provincial departments and their MECs, mayors, Accounting Officers, and members of the Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPAC),” said Motswana.
He further said the blocked housing projects are part of the first RDP houses that were supposed to be built in 2000 when the then Department of Local Government and Housing sent financial trenches to municipalities for the construction of RDP houses. Motswana added that, however, some of the RDP houses were never built as stipulated.
“The Department of Human Settlements should engage municipalities in resolving the challenges faced by the beneficiaries. Although money was sent to the municipalities for the construction of these RDP houses, unfortunately, they were never built.
“The beneficiaries cannot apply for new RDP houses as the system of the department indicates that they benefitted although it is not the case on the ground. There is a need for urgent intention between the department and municipality on helping these beneficiaries, who have waited for houses for more than 23 years,” said Motswana.
He said the department must also submit a comprehensive report on how it will ensure that the RDP houses are built.
The Guardian 