MORE than four years ago, about 50 families were so happy when they received RDPs they even wrote grateful letters to the government.
But today those same families from zone 19, Sebokeng, in the Vaal are still living in shacks. They don’t have electricity and about 100 people share one communal tap.
This is after the houses, built as part of a housing project by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, were illegally occupied, leaving the beneficiaries stranded in shacks nearby.
Mpho Putlamelane (52) lives in a small shack with her family while her house, only a few metres away, is occupied by someone else.
She said residents were angry when the allocation of houses started.
“They came with blankets, mattresses and all their things and moved into our houses. They have been there ever since,” she said.
According to Ntswaki Moliko (59), of the 105 listed beneficiaries, only about 25 actually live in their homes.
She said about 10 beneficiaries have died without ever setting foot in their homes.
“They have left their children behind in the shacks,” she said.
Attempts by government to evict the illegal occupants have failed in spite of eviction notices and the Red Ants being called in.
Premier David Makhura and several of his MECs visited the area recently and spoke to residents. He said government would not be intimidated by residents who have illegally occupied government housing projects.
“We’re going to end this illegal occupation because we want to use this land properly,” he said.
