The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs appointed 39 Contractors in March this year. MEC for CoGHSTA, Mr. Basikopo Makamu, in his opening address, quoted a Bible Verse in Mathews 22: 14 " Many are called ,but few are Chosen" He was referring to the appointed Contractors chosen to execute the departmental work ,but never delivered a single completed house to date. Makamu never minced his words when addressing Senior Officials of the Department and Contractors in a meeting which took place on the 09th November 2020 at Park Inn Hotel in Polokwane. Makamu was agitated by the outcome of the report from ISHS since the appointment of 39 Low-Cost Housing Contractors in March 2020 had a zero-service delivery. Notwithstanding the pandemic, the contractors took site almost three months ago.
To date, most of them are still languishing and recording zero in terms of progress on site. Challenges were raised, just to mention a few where most of them emanated from exorbitant "Lotsha Fee" imposed by various Senior Traditional Leaders in the Province which they demand R5000 for 02 units in an area. Lack building materials like cement and water is also contributing to the garden snail pace of completing 3401 housing units this financial year.
In the Midst, the HoD of the CoGHSTA, Ms. Ngaka Dumalisile introduced the new Deputy Director General (DDG) of Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements(ISHS), Mr. Freddy Tshivhengwa. An Engineer by Profession and Former Municipal Manager of Makhado Local Municipality. On her remarks, "We are here to take stock of what is happening on the ground. Your appointment was disturbed by Covid-19. This made us to be in the woods and we are still not yet out" She said. She indicated the withdrawal of 500 housing units to contribute to the Covid-19 pandemic. She was deeply concerned about the slow pace of construction. "Our challenges are your challenges, and your challengers are our challenges" She said.
In closing, the newly appointed DDG, Mr Tshivhengwa also Cracked the Whip by making a call to Contractors to take their responsibilities very serious with diligence.
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