Tag Archives: Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA)

Unblocking of housing projects delight beneficiaries

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Picture: Some of the beneficiaries during the hand over/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi said the process of unblocking housing projects across the province is unfolding. Maloyi said the commitment was made during the first and the second phase of Thuntsha Lerole, which is an Accelerated Service Delivery Program.

“The community of Ventersdorp is one of many that continues to receive houses on a daily basis as contractors are on the ground completing projects that were blocked due to challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The housing project in Ventersdorp consists of 360 units, which started in 2019 at Toevlug. The project could not be completed because of the wetland and other construction challenges,” he said.

Maloyi further said they have also handed over eight title deeds to the community of Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom. He added that the remaining 801, will be collected by residents at municipality offices.

“Our department is implementing a title deeds restoration project in collaboration with the National Department of Human Settlements, with the aim to eradicate the current backlog in the transfer of pre-1994 properties into the names of beneficiaries,” he said.

Maloyi said the handing over of houses and title deeds formed part of Thuntsha Lerole, Accelerated Service Delivery Programme held in Ventersdorp in the JB Marks Local Municipality, where Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembisile Nkadimeng, Minister of Unemployment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla, MECs and Heads of Departments (HoD) where part.

“Government is committed to delivering services to everyone in the province. We do this as it is according to the contract we signed with the people of the North West. Through the Thuntsha Lerole programme, we are more determined to fast track the delivery of services to every community in the province. We do this because we are a caring government,” said Maloyi.

Meanwhile, amongst beneficiaries were a widower, Morageng Seleka (72), who lives with his four children and two grandchildren. Seleka has been staying in Ikageng Township for over 20 years.

“I am happy that my children have a home,’’ he said.

Another beneficiary, Abel Jonkers (90), who is a grandfather of two, shared the same sentiments. Jonkers could not contain his emotions when he received the keys to his house.

“I am now happy that my dream of having a house of my own has come true.  I come from Rietfontein Farms and stay with my two unemployed grandchildren and one great grandchild. My family survives through social grants money.

“I am happy that I have a decent home where I am going to live happily with my children. I would like to thank the department for their good gesture,” he said.

Mmamokete Molusi (71), who is also a beneficiary, said she comes from Kliplaasdrift Farm and stays with her two grandchildren and one grandchild. Molusi said they also depend on social grants for survival.

“I am grateful that the department gave me the house of which I have been waiting for,” she said.   

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The Greater Taung Local Municipality in financial distress

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Picture: The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality  

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Various political parties at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), alleged that they know nothing about the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a). On 19 January 2024, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi, introduced Section 139 (1) (a) after instability. 

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor in Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mmoni Letele said, as the municipal council, they do not know anything about invocation of Section 139 (1)(a). Letele further said, there is no Section 139 (1)(a) that will be introduced and implemented without following proper measures. 

“I was so surprised to hear that, the North West Head of Department of North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Ben Bole had a meeting with the municipal employees, instead of engaging the municipal council regarding the invocation of Section 139 (1)(a). 

“They have never met with the municipal council. So, from where we stand, the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a) at the municipality is non-existence,” she said.

Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) councillor, Mika Moeti, shared the same sentiments. Moeti alleged that the municipality is in financial crisis. 

“What is needed is a forensic investigation because the municipality is in a financial crisis. Imagine, five years ago, the municipality’s investment accounts had R500 million. But in 2021, the account only had R100 million. 

“We must be honest to our people and tell them the truth. If the municipal council is serious, it must sit in a meeting and call for a forensic investigation. We need to know what really happened to the money that has been depleted,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bole refuted the allegations and said there has been positive progress at the municipality since the invocation of Section 139 (1) (a). 

“The Executive Council of the North West has taken a decision to invoke Section 139 (1) (a) at the municipality. This was to give the municipality directives and they were communicated to the municipal council by Maloyi.  

“Basically, that invocation was as a result of instability at the municipality. The municipal council dismally failed to meet its obligations. The municipal council was dysfunctional and as a result, the EXCO took a decision after Maloyi made a presentation before it,” he said. 

Bole further said they have given the municipality directives and they are monitoring them on a monthly basis. He added that they have received the first report and there is a sturdy process. 

“Since last year, the municipal council has failed to sit for council meetings, where it was supposed to take decisions in addressing service delivery challenges. One of the issues that the municipal council was supposed to do, is with regard to appointment of the senior managers. 

“However, there was back and forth and that triggered Maloyi to bring intervention. It is not only that, but before the EXCO invoke Section 139 (1)(a), Maloyi convened a meeting with the municipal council to try and deal with the situation,” said Bole. 

He said, however, it became very clear that Maloyi needed to elevate this matter before the EXCO in order to have a decisive action taken. Bole said Maloyi introduced Section 139 (1)(a) not for impunity measures, but corrective measures to crack the dysfunctional of the municipality,” said Bole.

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