Now developers and community members are blaming each other for the lack of progress at the 200 RDP Chris Hani Ramaphosa housing project.

Developers claim they cannot complete the houses because people keep stealing material, but a group of women said the developers were sabotaging the project by stealing the material.

KwaNobuhle police have arrested three suspects for housebreaking and theft. They recovered most of the stolen items from some community members.

Owner of Marla builders Marius Olivier, who was contracted to build the 200 houses, said he was contracted to build the houses in March and complete them in June.

Last week, paint and plumbing kits worth more than R20000 were stolen, he said.

Resident Ntombekhaya Daku blamed Olivier.

"Other developers have completed their houses. Olivier can avoid the theft by securing the site."

Olivier proposed that the residents act as security guards, but they refused.

Councillor Manelisi Vumazonke said: "Some delays were caused by the shacks placed in the wrong area. There was also the issue of contractors being paid late. We want to deliver houses, but if people keep stealing, the project will be delayed."