Speaking at the North West provincial legislature in Mahikeng on Friday,Madonsela said contractors delivering shoddy work must be punished.

Madonsela said when houses were structurally defective, government simply stepped in to provide more resources while the contractor continued to be awarded tenders.

The public protector has been in the province as part of the Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue, which puts the spotlight on the need to work together to end maladministration and ensure responsive service delivery.

The focus was on problems plaguing RDP housing and alleged regulatory gaps regarding the illegal conversion of panel vans into taxis.

Distressed community members spoke of contractors who forced people to sign "happy letters" that falsely confirmed that projects were delivered according to specifications.

They further alleged some projects had been abandoned halfway through yet contractors were paid in full.

Other complaints included allegations of fraud and corruption in the procurement of RDP housing, lack of transparency in the allocation of houses and discrimination against citizens who speak foreign languages.

Furthermore, there were complaints over electricity supply, delayed road construction projects and alleged tender irregularities relating to such projects, police brutality and the use of law enforcement agencies to settle political scores.

Lack of compliance with integrated development plans, fraudulent sale of communal land, communities not benefiting from mineral rights and delayed processing of applications for operating permits for taxis were also raised as concerns.

North West premier Thandi Modise said her government would cooperate with the public protector's investigations.

Madonsela will be visiting Northern Cape this week. - tshehleb@sowetan.co.za