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DAILY RISK: Othilia Mabolotsane of Matoporong, Reddersberg in Free State, points at some of the cracks on the walls of her incomplete RDP house, which she says can collapse at any time. PHOTO: NTWAGAAE SELEKA

 The walls have large cracks that one can easily see through. Window frames are tied up with wire to avoid them from falling.. 

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The houses represent anything but excellent work and many have gaping cracks on the walls. The residents have complained that they were moved into the houses that may collapse on them.

Othilia Mabolotsane's four-roomed house is just waiting to collapse. "The house could be reduced to rubble with a simple soft push using one hand," Mabolotsane, said.

The structure is not level and its roof can easily be blown over by the wind.

The house is one of many that have cracks on the walls. Some people have placed rocks and other heavy objects on the rooftops to prevent strong winds from blowing their houses away.

Although Mabolotsane's house was handed to her in 2004, her family is still afraid to move into it. Instead, they have been living in a two-roomed shack erected behind the house.

The walls have large cracks that one can easily see through. The walls inside are not plastered. Window frames are tied up with wire to avoid them from falling. Walls near the doors of the house also have cracks, making it easy for the doors to fall off.

Her neighbours have described the house as the worst built RDP house in the country. "I am scared of moving in here," said Mabolotsane.

Mabolotsane said she had lost count of her complaints and the number of government officials who had visited her house.

Her neighbour, Sindephi Jika, is also in the same predicament. Each year, Jika spends money to fill up the gaping cracks on his house.

And another neighbour, Peter Mophale's house is among those that were never completed. Contractors only completed a kitchen and a bedroom, leaving two other rooms not roofed. The walls have since collapsed.

Kopanong local municipality mayor Xolile Matwa said they were aware of the problems faced by residents. "We have told them that the government will complete all the houses, including fixing the cracks on the walls. We urge the residents to be patient because we understand their frustrations ," said Matwa.

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale had earlier told Parliament that more than R400-million of his department's budget was spent on shoddy houses that pre-date the year 2002, which could otherwise have been used to construct over 7,000 housing units.

Comments

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Sat May 25 15:23:17 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 8, 2012

Mosadii

Looks like the work that a certain Mr Kopano Khumalo would do.
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Jun 8, 2012

MicaParis

Those are the results of tenders which have been awarded maliciously. I do not think that a company like Murray and Roberts or Dannies Reitz, Global Construction will build RDP houses like that. But because a Mayor took me on the street or certain ANC offices to come and take a tender because I am his friend or relative , we will always have RDP's like that. Let me tell you as long as favoritism and corruption still exist those RDP's will still fall on our people and Comrade Tokyo will never stop repairing them. The solution for our people is to work hard even though is impossible, give your children a good education so that they can take you out of RDP houses to Sandton or be successful business accolades and take yourself to Centurion! Because Government will never do those things for you, pity but we have to live with the truth.
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Jun 8, 2012

BaleliM

This is a result of awarding tenders to family. Why complain?
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Jun 8, 2012

Kasiologist

BEE at its best, those arent even cracks, the wall seems like it was joined two days later... that house is sure to fall.

These guys, you do the work right the first time, no more fixing, that simply means you have more to embazzle...
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Jun 8, 2012

S1nude1ty

And some dude is driving around in his Audi S3 from the monies he made off this tender.
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Jun 8, 2012

cornelius

Where are the idiots who shout racism every time an issue of poor service delivery inthe WC arises ?
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Jun 8, 2012

Sgandy

Can we simply conclude the National Party build more robust and bigger houses than what we see now..I mean apart from the asbestos roofing the houses were really strong and bigger..most of them are still standing..but this is a joke..and we can't forever be giving tenders to the so called 'Comrade' who doesn't have any knowledge of construction..this is pure piffle..aargh man South Africa we are lost.
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Jun 8, 2012

rasefatee

Too many of our leaders stay in Sandton, in former whites-only suburb, and a lot of them have become visitors in the theatre of class struggle,” Said Vavi so what you people keep on voting for leaders who stay in sandton and stay in a delapidated RDP houses then complain and complain waya waya i dare don’t feel sorry for them and i wish those RDP wall could collapsed on them tshek
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Jun 8, 2012

Skhumbasengwenya

Why do people always complain?thats basic housing,if anything goes wrong (roof leaking,cracks,broken door) just fix it.So this people want govt to come back and fix all those problems,bona bese benzani?Lazy spoilt people.Even able bodied man (with no disability want govt to come back fix leaking roofs,cracks and broken doors.You can call me what what, but fu*ck this lazy bastards.
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Jun 8, 2012

hulas

Many of our people have allready lost their lives to this rdp houses of terrible quality.Its a digrace that human dignity is severly compromised under anc government.
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