Frustration is mounting among residents of Alabama in the North West province, who are accusing the provincial government of failing to fulfill a six-year-old promise to complete a crucial housing project.
The stalled project, located in Ward 4, has left hundreds of intended beneficiaries living in inadequate shacks while incomplete houses stand idle. The issue was highlighted in a live news report by Newsroom Africa, which spoke directly with community representatives on the ground.
The project began six years ago, and despite ongoing engagements between the community and various authorities, significant delays have plagued its completion. While some RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) houses in the area have been finished, many remain as hollow shells.
A community representative provided startling figures on the scale of the delay. He stated that approximately 918 houses from the project’s first phase, and a further 500-plus from a second phase, remain unfinished. Construction has been stalled since 2019, with no significant progress made for over half a decade.
The community members protesting have “lost hope.” Many are themselves beneficiaries, forced to wait interminably for the homes they were promised. The news team witnessed firsthand the poor conditions these residents endure while waiting for the completed houses.
In response to inquiries, the provincial Department of Human Settlements acknowledged the problem. They indicated that a previous contractor had been on site but had failed to complete the work. The department claimed a new contractor would be appointed to finish the job.
For the residents of Alabama, however, government assurances are wearing thin. As one beneficiary’s unfinished house stands as a stark symbol of broken promises, the community is demanding more than words—they are demanding action and the homes they were promised six years ago.
It remains to be seen the impact on affected families and the government’s next steps.
