ActionSA in the province has raised concerns over the completion of the Dark/Silver City housing project after a group of community members unlawfully attempted to occupy the flats. The party’s provincial chairperson Patricia Kopane said the department responsible for the housing project was trying to get a scapegoat for the stalling project.

Residents attempted to occupy the flats. Picture: Facebook 

“Residents have lost patience and have now taken matters into their own hands in response to what they perceive as a lack of commitment from the government.”

OFM News has sent three inquiries to establish how far the project is from completion. The first inquiry was to the Department of Human Settlements, which was unanswered. The second was to the Premier’s Office, in which we were referred to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). 

Cogta said they would respond by close of business Tuesday (8/8), however, the reply has not been received to date. 

It all started almost a decade ago while Ace Magashule was the premier and under his leadership, the Dark/Silver City housing project was born. The purpose of the development was to help low-income earners in the province afford a roof over their heads. At least R110 million was allocated to this project. However, by 2018 at least R260 million was spent.

Construction of the flats underway in 2015. Picture: Facebook  

These flats were to be occupied by people who earned between R1 622 and R7 500 per month. Rentals were expected to start from R450 per month for a bachelor flat and up to R2 250 for a three-bedroom flat. In 2015, it was reported by the provincial government that the construction is well underway and the completion date is set for 2016. Seven years and two premiers later, the housing project remains a white elephant.

In 2018, as Magashule was about to become the Secretary-General of the ANC, he said he would put pressure on everyone involved for the project to be completed. At the time, the delay was blamed on the contractor. Magashule said their contract would be terminated should they not be able to complete the work.

The flats are left unoccupied without security. Picture: Tshehla Koteli 

OFM News visit the Dark/Silver City. Upon arrival, there were several security guards at the main entrance of the flats being painted. However, another block of flats, which has not been painted, has been left without security guards. The unpainted block of flats has been subjected to vandalism, as anyone can go in and out as they please.

Magashule’s successor, Sisi Ntombela, once visited the development and stated she was concerned about the speed at which the project is going. Ntombela’s successor, and former MEC for Human Settlements and Cogta, Mxolisi Dukwana, had also made a promise that the project would be completed.  
The current MEC Ketso Makume, during the tabling of his budget, said the Hawks are investigating major stalled housing projects, namely the G-Hostel in Matjhabeng, Welkom; the Mangaung Dark/Silver City in Bloemfontein, and the Bohlokong Vogelfontein. 

“These projects have been ongoing for many years and public funds were unlawfully spent without the projects being completed.”

Questions sent, which were not answered, are:

1. At what stage of completion are the flats?

2. How much has been spent so far on the flats?

3. What was the initial budget for the development?

4. How many companies have been appointed for the development?

5. Which is the latest one to be appointed?

OFM News