By OBAKENG MAJE
15 October 2024- Even though illegal occupation of RDP houses is a serious offence, many houses in Extension 6, in Taung, are being illegally occupied. It is alleged that they bought those houses from some of the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) officials.
One of the victims, Gopolang Joseph Motsumi (60) from Mokgareng village, near Taung, said he applied for a RDP house many years ago, but he was surprised to see it being illegally allocated to somebody else. Motsumi said he was looking for a job around the area when he noticed his RDP house in Extension 6.
“I went to the municipality to inquire about my house. Indeed, they confirmed that the house belongs to me. They gave me a letter to hand it over to the illegal occupant.
“However, even though he agreed that he is aware that the house belongs to me, he does not budge. He said he will only leave the house when his RDP house he applied for is ready,” he said.
Motsumi, who stays in a one-roomed shack with his wife and children, said his livelihood has been affected over the years due to this matter. He further said the municipality is not doing enough to help him recover his house.
“It’s been years since I tried to get any assistance from the municipality, but I’m being sent from pillar to post. From my understanding, illegal occupation of RDP houses is unlawful.
“But, it seems the municipality is doing nothing to prevent residents who jump the housing queue by embarking on illegal acts by occupying RDP houses,” said Motsumi.
He added that it is disgusting to have a situation, where people just break the law with impunity.
Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said: “We have had engagements with two gentlemen in an effort to resolve the matter. The municipality cannot be able to comment on the reasons for the allocation as that was effected by another party.
“The allocation was done by the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC). We are aware that there are many RDP houses being illegally occupied in the area. These are normally resolved through eviction of the wrong party.”
Oliphant said such problems might have been caused by difficulties to trace the rightful beneficiaries, in that case, other people on the list would be granted the right to occupy the property until the rightful beneficiary is traced. He said the municipality is exploring possibilities of assisting Motsumi to access his rightful house.
The Guardian 