RESIDENTS of Ba Ga Phuduhucwana Extension, in Taung in North West, say the government has forgotten about them. Most live in mud houses, while some have built small houses for themselves.
Kebapetse Totong, an unemployed mother of four, said she had been living in Mokassa II for more than nine years.
MD3 Developers got a tender from the Taung municipality to build 360 low-cost RDP houses in the area. But only one unit was built on April 20 2004.
The construction company was paid R8.1-million for the project, which was to have been completed in October 2005.
"When the house was completed, we were told it was a display house and we would get houses too. But to date, we are still waiting," Totong said.
Tired of living in a shack that leaked when it rained, Totong bought bricks, sand and cement to build a two-roomed house.
"The government is dragging its feet," she said.
"I had to build a proper home for my children. My 16-year-old son is forced to sleep in the kitchen.
"We are struggling here. We do not have water and have to walk about 5km, a 30-minute walk, to get to where the tap is."
Totong said she would be happier if the government delivered on its promises.
Another Mokassa II resident, Phillip Mokhwanasi, said the house he had built for himself and his family was leaking.
"It gets flooded when it rains," he said.
"It is very small. There are 11 people in the house, including my grandchildren. I honestly do not understand what is happening here.
We are struggling and need houses, running water and flushing toilets."
Batlhaping Ba Ga Phuduhucwana Kgosikgolo Tshepo Mankuroane too is frustrated about the situation in the 78 villages he oversees.
"These people (government) have not done anything," Mankuroane said.
"People's houses get flooded. We have been talking about this problem for a very long time. We must get a solution and help the community."
North West department of human settlements spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said they could not have appointed a new contractor while MD3 Developers was still under investigation.
He said the department had not seen the report compiled by the special investigating unit about the matter.
The company's directors, Janice Mendes, 42, and Machiel Marais, 47, were arrested and are out on R1000 and R5000 bail, respectively.
The asset forfeiture unit obtained a restraining order for two houses with an estimated value ofR5-million belonging to Mendes and Marais.
Tired of living in squalor
RESIDENTS of Ba Ga Phuduhucwana Extension, in Taung in North West, say the government has forgotten about them. Most live in mud houses, while some have built small houses for themselves.
Kebapetse Totong, an unemployed mother of four, said she had been living in Mokassa II for more than nine years.
MD3 Developers got a tender from the Taung municipality to build 360 low-cost RDP houses in the area. But only one unit was built on April 20 2004.
The construction company was paid R8.1-million for the project, which was to have been completed in October 2005.
"When the house was completed, we were told it was a display house and we would get houses too. But to date, we are still waiting," Totong said.
Tired of living in a shack that leaked when it rained, Totong bought bricks, sand and cement to build a two-roomed house.
"The government is dragging its feet," she said.
"I had to build a proper home for my children. My 16-year-old son is forced to sleep in the kitchen.
"We are struggling here. We do not have water and have to walk about 5km, a 30-minute walk, to get to where the tap is."
Totong said she would be happier if the government delivered on its promises.
Another Mokassa II resident, Phillip Mokhwanasi, said the house he had built for himself and his family was leaking.
"It gets flooded when it rains," he said.
"It is very small. There are 11 people in the house, including my grandchildren. I honestly do not understand what is happening here.
We are struggling and need houses, running water and flushing toilets."
Batlhaping Ba Ga Phuduhucwana Kgosikgolo Tshepo Mankuroane too is frustrated about the situation in the 78 villages he oversees.
"These people (government) have not done anything," Mankuroane said.
"People's houses get flooded. We have been talking about this problem for a very long time. We must get a solution and help the community."
North West department of human settlements spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said they could not have appointed a new contractor while MD3 Developers was still under investigation.
He said the department had not seen the report compiled by the special investigating unit about the matter.
The company's directors, Janice Mendes, 42, and Machiel Marais, 47, were arrested and are out on R1000 and R5000 bail, respectively.
The asset forfeiture unit obtained a restraining order for two houses with an estimated value ofR5-million belonging to Mendes and Marais.
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