Stripped windows and bathtubs, overgrown grass and weeds, crumbling walls and unstable stairs.
These are the words used to describe the Montrose Mega City project by the residents and councillors living around it in Randfontein on the West Rand.
The Montrose Mega City project was launched in 2017 as a flagship initiative to address Gautengs housing backlogs. It was envisioned to deliver more than 10,500 housing units at a cost of R11bn, targeting residents from informal settlements.
However, according to multiple reports, the project stalled following the liquidation of the contractor, with R46m spent before work came to a halt.
The Gauteng department of human settlements confirmed that the project had faced significant delays due to the poor performance of the original developer, whose contract was ultimately terminated.