Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

Residents of Sihlalangenkani, a squatter camp at Musina in Limpopo, will benefit from a R75million housing project in the area.

The provincial department of local government and housing launched the housing project yesterday.

At the launch MEC for local government and housing, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, renamed Sihlalangenkani, Freedom Park.

"The municipality evicted Sihlalangenkani residents early this year to make way for the low-cost housing development project," said local government and housing spokesman Clayson Monyela.

"The residents resisted the eviction and the matter went to court."

He said the court ruled in favour of government because the land was earmarked for low-cost housing development

Monyela said the Freedom Park housing project would deliver a total of 1839 houses and more than 2000 families stood to benefit.

But Monyela warned that only those people on the housing waiting list would be allocated houses.

The new homes were expected to be completed during this financial year.

"In line with our pledge to fight poverty, this project will also create jobs for our people," said Monyela.

"An estimated 192 local people will be employed - 60 women, 60 men and 72 will be from the youth sector.

"This is further proof that when the government makes promises, it indeed delivers," he said