Oudtshoorn residents to get houses

By Anele Siwa
08 May 2008

The MEC for Local Government and Housing in the Western Cape, Qubudile Richard Dyantyi together with the executive mayor of the Oudtshoorn municipality, Alderlady D. N. De Jager will today officially hand over houses to Nippon East (Rose bank) residents in Oudtshoorn.

“This is a new zone within the Nippon East neighbourhood of Oudtshoorn”, says Vusumzi Tshose spokesperson of MEC Dyantyi.

According to Tshose construction of 663 top structures has been started during September 2007 and up to end April 2008.

“Units are under various stages of completion with the 100% completed houses to be handed over to beneficiaries today”, he added.

Tshose says an amount of R 4,517,964 has been paid by the Department to the Municipality for top structures.

“The Provincial Executive of the Western Cape (Provincial Cabinet) has on 14 March 2007 intervened in the Oudtshoorn municipality in terms of section 139 of the Constitution. The intervention led to the assumption of powers of Council and the Municipal manager by the administrator functioning under the direction of the Provincial Executive. Service delivery in Oudtshoorn Municipality has been hampered by the events leading to the placement under administration”, he explains.

On November 2006 MEC Dyantyi appointed a Commission of inquiry to probe allegations of maladministration, non-compliance with statutory obligations and serious malpractices in the Oudtshoorn Municipality.

According to Tshose amongst the beneficiaries to receive houses are, Andre Redelinghys, 65 years old who have never own a formal house before, Jimmy Junsen and Annie Moos who are physically challenged are also among the beneficiaries.