Picture: NCOP members during project oversight visit/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
24 August 2026 – Members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) have commended the North West Department of Human Settlements for the progress made on the Tshunyane Housing project during an oversight visit on Tuesday as part of the NCOP Provincial Week. In 2010, the department appointed two contractors to construct 250 units across several villages around Mahikeng.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said 40 of these houses were allocated to Tshunyane village, however, both contractors breached their contract terms by abandoning the site before completing the work. Molapisi said in 2022/2023, the department subsequently enlisted the services of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to conduct structural integrity assessments of all incomplete and blocked projects.
“The assessments were aimed at determining the extent of the outstanding work and to advise the department on appropriate remedial action. NHBRC recommended that all incomplete structures be demolished, including those in Tshunyane, as the structures had been exposed to adverse weather conditions for an extended period.
“The department appointed a contractor in January 2026 to demolish 38 foundations and 2 wall plates in Tshunyane village, at a cost of R799 200 00. The demolition process has already commenced and the contractor has started laying the foundations. The contract for construction is R8.7 million, with the project expected to be completed by the end of November 2026,” he said.
Molapisi further said the department will conduct an investigation with the intention of recovering funds from the previous contractors and implementing consequence management against the officials involved. He added that during the oversight visit, the department committed to providing members of the NCOP with regular progress reports on the Tshunyane housing project.
“We would like to assure the members of the NCOP that the department would closely monitor the project and submit regular reports to the NCOP until its completion. The department would also provide support to the contractor to ensure that the project is completed on time for the benefit of the community,” said Molapisi.
The Guardian 