The DA in Ekurhuleni marched to the Gauteng Premier’s office. Pic: Supplied
Thokozile Mnguni
A growing backlog in housing delivery in Ekurhuleni has triggered renewed concern over stalled, vandalised and delayed developments, with calls for urgent provincial intervention.
The Democratic Alliance Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni marched to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office today to hand over a memorandum demanding immediate action.
Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, MPL, the DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, said more than 318,000 households are still waiting for housing. She said several projects remain stalled without explanation.
She said the DA, together with residents of Ekurhuleni, took the matter directly to the Premier’s office. The party is calling on Lesufi to urgently intervene in what it describes as a worsening housing crisis in the city.
Rasilingwane said several housing developments have suffered years of delays, abandonment and vandalism. She said this is despite millions of rand already being spent on the projects.
“This includes Winnie Mandela Extension 25, Mackenzieville Extension Two, Esselen, and Vosloorus Extension 9. As projects deteriorate and refurbishment costs rise, thousands of families remain without adequate housing and continue to wait for homes,” she said, adding that as the DA mayoral candidate she believes every resident deserves access to safe, secure and affordable housing.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government and the City of Ekurhuleni must provide full transparency regarding the status of the housing list, including how many people are on the list and what progress, if any, has been made in clearing the backlog since 1996, investigate and address irregularities in allocation of houses, including corruption or favouritism and communicate a plan to eliminate the backlog, with timelines and measurable goals, so the community can hold the department accountable for delivering on its promises,” she said.
She further said housing is a constitutional right, not a political favour. She added that residents continue to suffer due to years of inefficiency, poor oversight and governance failures.
“We will continue to stand with residents and fight for a government that delivers homes, restores dignity and puts people,” she said.
Mxolisi Xayayi, Special Adviser in the Premier’s office, received the memorandum.
“We will urgently look into the matter and respond. It is important because many residents have waited three decades for housing, and more importantly, there are housing projects that have been left abandoned. We would like to see these housing projects completed, rightful owners allocated their homes, and those responsible for the delays held accountable,” said Xayayi
The DA said it expects an urgent response. It warned that a follow-up will be made within 14 days if no action is taken.