LIMPOPO'S local government and housing department has recovered more than R3million from contractors who left RDP houses incomplete.

This after it was chosen as the best ahead of 10 other departments.

The department apparently delivered beyond its target by completing more than 16400 houses that were left incomplete by contractors in a single financial year.

The department's initial target was to complete 13000 structures but it exceeded this by building an extra 3500 houses.

The department was chosen during the annual Premier Service Excellent Awards at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane on Monday night.

The awards honour public servants who go beyond the call of duty to deliver quality services.

The department has also terminated the services of contractors who left RDP houses incomplete. The move has seen it scooping the award for best department for the 2009-10 financial year.

MEC Soviet Lekganyane said yesterday they had taken legal action against contractors who had abandoned projects and those who had defrauded the department.

The government has set itself the target of building 15400 houses for the poor this financial year.