Picture: The North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi with beneficiaries/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
2 November 2026 – The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi has issued a stern warning to developers against negligence, poor performance and delays in the implementation of housing projects. Speaking during the handover of houses in Tshunyane village, near Mahikeng on Thursday, Molapisi said the department would no longer tolerate contractors who delay the delivery of houses to beneficiaries.
He warned that the days of contractors abandoning projects and leaving beneficiaries waiting indefinitely for their houses were over, adding that the government would not allow public resources to be wast ed while beneficiaries continued to suffer. Molapisi said any underperformance would be dealt with in the harshest possible manner, including the immediate termination of contracts and the pursuit of all available legal and administrative avenues to blacklist such companies from doing business with the government.
“We would like to emphasise that the department has strengthened its oversight and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all housing projects across the province were completed on time, within budget and met the required standards of safety and quality,” he said.
Among the beneficiaries is Reginah Mokgwase (66), a mother of six unemployed children whose household relies solely on social grants for survival. Mokgwase said her plight attracted public attention when she attempted to occupy and complete the unfinished structure herself, using corrugated iron sheets to cover the window openings of the defective house abandoned by the previous contractors.
“I am so happy after receiving my fully-completed home. I really want to express my profound gratitude. I want to thank the government for giving me a proper home. This is not just a shelter for today, but a legacy that I will leave behind for my children,’’ she said.
Another beneficiary, Julia Tankane (50) said she was overjoyed to receive a proper home, as she had previously been living in a small shack with her four children, a situation that had long been a source of concern for her.
Meanwhile, the Tshunyane Housing Project experienced significant delays after the previous contractors abandoned the construction sites before completing the work. Following structural assessments that identified defects resulting from prolonged exposure to adverse weather conditions, the department appointed a new contractor earlier this year to demolish 38 foundations and two wall plates to pave the way for the reconstruction of the housing units.
