ELDERLY residents of Gugulethu, Western Cape are unhappy with the housing project, which is taking too long to complete.
The gogos claimed that they've been waiting for six years to move into their homes, but the houses are not yet ready. Some of the elderly beneficiaries have allegedly died while waiting for their houses.
Gogo Zodwa Patricia Butu (59) said: "Recently, three elderly people died while waiting to move into their houses. We don't know what exactly is going on and we are afraid that we too might die without getting our houses. We don't want to move into our houses in our coffins. We want to live in them now."
She said some housing projects in other areas that came after hers have been completed, but they're still waiting.
Gogo Florence Sithela (69) said: "My husband has tried, he has been running up and down all these offices trying to understand what is happening, but in the end, he died without living in this house. We are fed up. The government needs to take us seriously."
Besides gogo Florence’s husband, residents claimed that many other elderly residents died without living in their homes.
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The new MMC for human settlements, who took over from Booi, Carl Pophaim, said the site, which is supposed to deliver 1 004 housing units, is having problems with contractors.
Pophaim said a number of the units are close to completion but still have water connections, water leaks and missing balustrades.
"These defects are a health and safety issue, and the houses can't be legally handed over if they pose a health and safety risk to residents," Pophaim said.
The MMC said the entire Gugulethu infill housing project, which includes the Mau Mau and Erf 8448 plots, will be completed as soon as possible, with the aim of completing all outstanding works within the next 24 months.
Among other challenges, the illegal occupation of the Mau Mau site has also led to delays and additional costs.
