There are 1000 empty government-built houses in two municipalities in Mpumalanga and premier David Mabuza is fuming that they have been left unoccupied for two years.
This week, Mabuza demanded answers from the leadership of Lekwa and Mbombela local municipalities over the completed houses which remain empty two years later.
There are 500 units in each municipality.
He was speaking at a two-day premier's coordinating forum in Mbombela on Tuesday and demanded answers from the leadership of the municipalities.
"People are waiting for their houses, and we are even failing to explain to them why they cannot rightfully occupy their homes. If this is how we work as government, it is disgusting and cannot be tolerated," Mabuza said.
Mabuza's office said municipalities and the provincial government deliberated with the premier on strategic plans for the 2016/2017 financial year.
The department of human settlements then reported that many houses it had built for the two municipalities had "been unoccupied for a while and there were concerns of possible vandalism".
"This is what causes unnecessary conflict between us and our people. Are we really ready to govern? This is an indication of bad planning.
"It is clear that we invaded the land without taking into account the integrated services required by the people in such settlements and decided to build houses. At the end we realise that people cannot occupy the houses because there are no services," Mabuza said.
The premier said he wanted the rightful beneficiaries to occupy the houses immediately.
"Let us avoid these mistakes; they are unnecessary and costly. I need all the answers by tomorrow (yesterday), after that the respective mayors should go and explain to the people as to when are they going to move into their houses," said Mabuza.
His spokesman Zibonele Mncwango said Lekwa municipality had responded to Mabuza on the empty houses. "The houses are not serviced, there is no water or electricity. [A] budget is needed to supply these, at least R20-million is needed for Lekwa municipality houses," said Mncwango.
Meanwhile, at the meeting, a decision was taken that at least two metros should be established with an aim to eliminate unguided settlement growth, informal settlements resulting in rising costs of eradicating informal settlements, proper resettlement of communities, and the provision of basic services.
"The two envisaged metros would be a consolidation of Emalahleni, Steve Tshwete, Victor Khanye and Emakhazeni municipalities on one hand, and the consolidation of City of Mbombela and Nkomazi municipalities. Another consolidation will be explored around Govan Mbeki as the neighbouring municipality," said Mncwango.
mashabas@sowetan.co.za