F4SD calls for Premier Dukwana to intervene in ‘illegal housing project’ in Welkom

A call for action is at the hard and soft palate of Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in Lejweleputswa as it has expressed deep concern over hijacked housing project in Thabong, Welkom.

The disgruntled group says the manner in which the provincial government is failing to address challenges around housing issues is appalling and has called for Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana to act swiftly.

“The provincial government is dragging its feet to tackle a hijacked abandoned housing project in Welkom that has led to illegal occupation of land meant for the construction of RDP houses,” said the Forum’s spokesperson Thokozile Mnguni.

“F4SD has learnt that several people have illegally occupied some of the stands at T11/2 Dichocoleteng section in Thabong and erected shacks.

“The Forum has on several occasions marched to Matjhabeng Municipality to demand the completion of the said housing project that has been abandoned and since hijacked by groupings of mostly foreign nationals leaving its intended beneficiaries still homeless,” added Mnguni.

Mnguni said what concerns the Forum is the fact that things might turn ugly after intended beneficiaries threatened to resolve the issue their own way and should there be any spill of blood, “the ANC led municipality will have blood in their hands,” she reiterated.

Last year, residents of Dichokoleteng in Welkom accused some Matjhabeng municipality officials of illegally selling their sites.

In their plea, they said they were original beneficiaries of about 1 300 allocated spaces.

They were allegedly procured from a private owner, where the local municipality would build RDP houses for them.

Some claimed they received their stand numbers in 2004 and were battling to get them back.

“A lot of damage has been done under the thieving ANC led government but F4SD strongly believe things could be turned around if the voters can boot out this incompetent criminal enterprise in the next coming general elections.

“We want the illegal occupants to be removed from the project before lives are lost so that it is completed and for the intended beneficiaries to immediately occupy the units. We have been working with the community on this and we will not rest until the Matjabeng  municipality fixes the mess it has created,” said F4SD national organiser Thebe Ntsane adding that Premier Dukwana has been playing duck and dive, making excuses every time they have to meet to discuss the issue further.