A government-subsidized housing project in Jakaranda Informal Settlement, Klerksdorp, meant to provide homes for underprivileged families, remains incomplete years after its launch, leaving beneficiaries frustrated and living in dire conditions.
During an oversight visit, community members voiced their grievances over the delayed project, alleging poor workmanship by contractors. Some residents claim they were forced to complete their own houses due to substandard construction and exposure to harsh weather.
Disabled Residents Left Waiting
Among those affected is 32-year-old Obakeng Tshethle, a person with disabilities, who continues to live in a makeshift shack. “When the project started, we were told that people with disabilities would be prioritized. Yet, here we are, still waiting,” he said.
Tshethle further revealed bureaucratic hurdles, stating that his application forms did not specify his disability status, leaving him in limbo.
Department Admits Nationwide Backlogs
The Department of Human Settlements acknowledged significant backlogs in low-cost housing projects across the country, with approximately 196 stalled or abandoned projects.
“We are working to revive these projects and ensure proper completion,” a department representative said. However, they admitted difficulties in quantifying the exact extent of the delays.
Residents Decry Dilapidated Houses
Frustrated beneficiaries in Jakaranda Informal Settlement reported severe structural issues in some of the completed houses.
“We are living in a mess,” one resident said. “Most houses are less than a year old but already have cracks and collapsing ceilings. Everything is falling apart.”
Other concerns include poor road conditions and a collapsed bridge in the area cutting off access to essential services.
Promises of Intervention
The department has vowed to address allegations of shoddy workmanship and poor project management. A team from the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) has been deployed to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, progress has been made in securing electricity connections, with the first phase expected by year-end.
Rising Informal Settlements
The department also expressed concern over the 4,076 informal settlements nationwide, highlighting the urgent need for functional housing solutions.
As delays persist, residents like Obakeng Tshethle remain in limbo, questioning when—or if—they will ever receive the homes they were promised.
