Penwell Dlamini

Penwell Dlamini

Mlungisi Ngedane has been living in a for the past 10 years. But now the father of two has finally been allocated a house in Pennyville, near New Canada Station, in Johannesburg.

"I am happy to escape the stench and rats of Zamimpilo [squatter camp]," he said.

Ngedane, who lives with his four school-going children and his sister's two children, said he would continue running a tuck shop from his new home.

He and many other families have been living in Zamimpilo, Orlando's backyard shacks, Noordgesig and Riverlea infmormal settlements have been allocated new houses by the Pennyville Housing Development.

In 2004 the City of Johannesburg called for development proposals on Riverlea Extension 3.

"The purpose was to eradicate Zamimpilo and create a sustainable human settlement," municipal spokesman Gabu Tugwana said.

Though by 2006 a total of 1162 beneficiaries had been approved, only 872 families have moved into their RDP houses since September last year. Others, who did not qualify, were considered for alternative financial options that suited them.

In total 3200 housing units will be built, comprising 1600 RDP homes, 600 with shared facilities for rental, 200 social housing units and 800 middle- and high-income rentals. Bonds will be raised from financial institutions.

Rentals will cater for households earning between R3500 and R7000 a month. Middle- and high-income rental units will benefit households with an income between R3500 and R15000 a month.