Once again, close to 2 000 flats built adjacent to the Dube Hostel in Soweto have come under the spotlight with the Human Settlements MMC in the City of Johannesburg, Mlungisi Mabaso, saying that almost R100-million of taxpayers money has been regrettably wasted.
The flats remain unoccupied and have now been vandalised and hostel dwellers are pleading with government to refurbish the units so they can move in, promising to adhere to every rule.
Mabaso says when the housing project was launched in 2009, their predecessor had promised to build the units as RDP housing , only to turn around later and say these units would be up for rental.
They turned back on their word and when it was time for allocations, residents were questioned about affordability, which was a bit too late because their initial structures had already been demolished in order to make space for the new flats and they were initially promised RDP structures. When the residents said they cannot afford to pay rent the allocation process could not proceed and they vowed that no one will move into those flats which were left vacant for years and later vandalised beyond recognition.
Mabaso adds that there was no consequence management for the R100 million spent on these units that remain unoccupied.