More than R400m spent fixing shoddy RDP houses - Sexwale
THOUSANDS of people in desperate need of housing have possibly been denied an opportunity to own one because of poor workmanship and corruption in the construction of houses.
Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale
Human Settlement minister Tokyo Sexwale has revealed that hundreds of millions of rands earmarked for the construction of RDP houses was instead used to fix poorly built homes.
Sexwale revealed that his department had spent R400 million to rectify shoddily built houses between 2002 to present.
According to the department's estimations, Sexwale said, the money could have been enough to build 7,000 RDP houses.
"Significantly, over R400 million of the budget was spent on rectification of shoddy houses that predate the year 2002, which could otherwise have been used to construct over 7,000 housing units," the minister said.
But, Sexwale assured South Africans that newly built houses suffer the same fate as their predecessors.
"Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the houses that are being constructed are aesthetically superior and of high quality standard and design," said Sexwale.
Sexwale - who following his installation as human settlements minister vowed to fight graft in the department - was not shy in admitting collective grave instances of corruption and maladministration.
He revealed that current investigations had uncovered corruption totalling billions, while also releasing names of high ranking officials who had been fired as a result of investigations which brought to light their illegal activities.
The minister indicated that more than 50 construction contracts with a value of R4,2 billion were the subject intense investigations.
"Over 40 investigations have been completed and 17 are ongoing," said Sexwale.
About 24 contractors in Limpopo have since been blacklisted for shoddy workmanship, non-delivery and incompetence, with R1 million recovered from them.
Sexwale said these companies had been referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) "for further action".
More than 290 public servants charged with having committed housing subsidy fraud had been arrested, more than 240 had since been found guilty while another 220 were facing internal disciplinary hearings.
The department said R30 million lost through corruption had been recovered.
Housing official Thami Mpotulo was dismissed after having been found guilty of dereliction of duty while another - Sipho Mashinini - was recommended for a summary dismal.
Vanessa Somiah - a former SAPS Detective and top SIU Investigator - had her employment at the National Home Builders Regulation Council (NHBRC) terminated as she was "irregularly employed" at the company.
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Pointman
We need to see some of these people in jail. If 40 investigations have been completed, then why are there no cases. Why does the SIU have to investigate further.Report Abuse
MorenaWaPolelo
Yho out of R4.2 billion you were able to only recover R31million jah graft is very expensive maan!!!! I want to know if it was necessary to mension Limpopo only what about other provinces Sir? TMG does not know that we know his way of doing things especialy when things are not going his way, a typical opportunist he is trying to back door his way into Msholozi's good books.Report Abuse
Sinudeity
"He revealed that current investigations had uncovered corruption totalling billions, while also releasing names of high ranking officials who had been fired as a result of investigations which brought to light their illegal activities."Hehe, very convenient naming and shaming people who have been fired already.
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Idohl
We want all R400m back, not a fraction of it Mr. Minister!Report Abuse
Papage
Well said Minister, did you call those responsible for building shaddy houses to book, how much did you recover from them? or you just let it go.Report Abuse
7000000
Comrade Sexwale is no longer sleeping well since the expulsion of Julius Malema. We know very well that he is one of the NEC members who were using Malema to oust the Commander in Chief. But never mind for the sake of Unity and prosperity in the ANC we decided not to axe you in the coming Cabinet after Mangaung. If you behave well since we are watching you , you can still retain the same Department but one mistake as that Department is a service delivery fatal point we will remove you to another small department like Sports and recreation. There is no need for Sexwale to beg the Commander in Chief to forgave him by critisizing Limpopo which is already been dealt with as we are waiting for either the disbandment of the PEC or the deployment of Mathale to Lethuli House as the General Manager. What we need to tell you is that never mind what ever you might need to do just know that you and Phosa as well as Madikizela will never ever be trusted as Cadres who can be ''trusted'' you will never go any way as you will remain a Minister until you retire from Politics into Business as you are a corrupt Business man. We know you have ambitions of becoming the President one day but you will never get that throne ever because you are ''untrust worthy'' just know that you are on the spotlight.Watch you are back very well Comrade, you are on the rocks!Report Abuse
MommaC
Well done Tokyo !Now this is what we like to see. More action and less talk.
What has the ex-minister to say for herself in this? Oh thats right, she is too busy stuffing up the Defence Force
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swona
thanks to mbeki's lack of leadership and poor management, during that guy's reign, more houses were built, and all of them have been poorly built. ppl are scared to say this,Report Abuse
Blackstone.lebs
Good move minister, at least you've done something. Now recover the rest of the money and fire the remaining incompetent officials.@MommaC: Tokyo must now move to Defence, he's good at wiping Sisulu's mess.
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hulas
Not only the houses are shoddy there are many reports of houses that collapse and killing people.Under this anc administration there is no department without scandal.Report Abuse
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