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.
UNHAPPY: Resident of Mokassa II in Taung,
Kebapetse Totong
is still waiting for a house after 9 years.
PHOTO: MABUTI KALI
SIGN OF LIFE: A goat crosses a road in Makassa II in Taung, North West.
PHOTO: MABUTI KALI
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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sekhebereshe
let them rot..i mean 4 kids unemployed what is she thinking..lazy south africans who expect the government to do everything for them..if she is fit enough to be making babies then she must be fit to get a job as a maid.rot! rot! rot! useless idiots!
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ordinaryman
mogoetago wena @sekhebereshe, these are my people u r talking badly about.Report Abuse
MoNati
You vote for them so don't complain.Report Abuse
Stigga
the solution is simple........................ change your vote!!Report Abuse
somaartakeit
you got the gov you voted for, so enjoy the squalor and all else that is associated with it.Report Abuse
life1703
Good Day,It is unfortunate that we still have unreasonable and stereotype people like @Sekhebereshe,@Monati and Somaartkeit in South Africa. These people complaining are ordinary South Africans just like them and when they complain, they expect us to sympathise with them. Unemployment is very rife in South Africa. Where do you expect employment in Taung though the Municipality is being funded and budgetted for from National Government. Seemingly the budget they (Taung Munipality) receive, is strictly for their own pockets and their bogus tenderpreneurs. Just a simple question, how do you authorise payment of such a huge amount without final confirmation that indeed the job was done. I feel so hurt as I am also from Taung.
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KAMAMPELA
@sekheberesheay ay ay wena you have a problem maaan yerrr!! so what about the innocent kids? they must rot too?
at least they will rot in a shack,you will rot in hell if you don’t change your attitude
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MoNati
@life1703No, we are fed up with people who see how corrupt the ANC are, but stil vote for them every election.
So, no sir, it is unfortunate that the people who did NOT vote for them have to suffer TOO!!!
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somaartakeit
sorry life1703 I don't have time to do sympathy for self inflicted situations but I will take time off to help them with solution, and in this case the solution is clear isn't it? they must change their vote patterns fi the gov they voted for lets them time and time again, otherwise they mustn't waste our time complaining!!!@MoNati, I am not fed-up but am letting them enjoy benefits of their vote, this is their choice and decision (at ballots), so why am i now expected to feel sorry? I don't waste feelings on stupid stuff,
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WitWolf
Eeeeeeish!!Report Abuse
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