Melmoth housing project finally making progress after decade-long delays
SOME of the challenges that faced the decade-long delayed Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth was the hilly terrain where the houses are built. However, retaining walls were erected to mitigate against flooding
Image: KZN Human Settlements
THE Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth in the background with some of the water infrastructure built since the provincial government's intervention in the delayed project. KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma inspected progress of the project yesterday
Image: KZN Human Settlements
KWAZULU-NATAL Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma accompanied by the department's officials inspects the Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth which has faced decade-long delays
Image: KZN Human Settlements
THIS was how some of the houses for the Thubalethu housing project, in Melmoth looked like after vandalism, illegal occupation and delays before the provincial government had to step in.
Image: Supplied
TRIBUNE REPORTER
THE beneficiaries of a housing project in Northern KwaZulu-Natal have regained hope of occupying the houses that have remained unoccupied and incomplete for many years, with many being vandalised in the process due to delays and a plethora of other challenges.
The R168 million Thubalethu housing project in Melmoth has been beset with challenges of delays, cost overruns, vandalism, illegal occupation, and lack of power and water supply since 2012, leaving many beneficiaries destitute and living in informal settlements.
The project is a national government initiative under the Human Settlements' Breaking New Ground (BNG) programme and was meant to be an extension of Thubalethu township.
The project was initially for 512 units, but the final number was adjusted to 751 due to the land's topography.
A total of R168 million was allocated for the project.
Yesterday, Human Settlements MEC for KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, returned to the Thubalethu community to monitor progress on the project following an April 29 visit earlier this year, accompanied by the Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, who both committed to seeing the project to its finality and exerted pressure for its speedy progress.
“We remain convinced that only hard work and commitment to serve the people will end the prolonged construction of houses in Thubalethu township."We want to ensure that there is no maladministration and that there is accountability for every cent spent,” said Duma yesterday when he undertook Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet Day work in the township.
He monitored and inspected the work involving the department, Mthonjaneni, and King Cetshwayo municipalities.
The Human Settlements Department has made available R38.5 million for the construction of the retaining walls to mitigate against flooding. Some of the houses are in hilly terrain, which maximises the risk of flooding.
R61 million has been provided for the installation of bulk water services, and another R19 million for the construction of water infrastructure in the area.
There's also a plan to erect water tanks and upgrade sewer and septic tanks. One of the many challenges facing the project was plumbing and sanitation.
In the early stages of the project, there were reports of political bickering between the Mthonjaneni Local Municipality and the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, which further complicated the project's progress.
The provincial government had to step in to nip the bickering in the bud.