The Department of Human Settlements in North West has been slammed over unfinished multimillion-dollar housing projects in the Taung Local Municipality.

This comes after the Legislature’s oversight visit to various municipalities under Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality this week. 

The Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Chairperson, Aaron Motswana, raised concerns over blocked housing projects in the Majakgoro Project and Mokasa 2. He expressed his disappointment on how both projects have been blocked for over nine years without any progress on site.

The committee visited blocked housing projects in Majeakgoro and Mokasa 2. Photo: Facebook

“The department is delaying its processes where it should be starting with completing the remaining houses. It is yet to finalise the assessments. We urge the department to prioritise these houses as some of the beneficiaries have long passed on without receiving their houses.” 

It’s understood that in October 2014, the Department of Human Settlements entered into a contract worth R58.3 million with Synchrocom to construct 431 housing units in various villages within the Greater Taung Local Municipality in Majakgoro. Motswana said the agreement was terminated as a result of poor performance from the contractor. After the termination of the contract, 233 RDP houses were completed and 198 were not completed.

The Portfolio Committee conducted oversight visits in Majeakgoro and Mokasa 2. Photo: Facebook

A service provider was also appointed to build 180 RDP houses at Mokasa 2 in 2014. The project worth R24.8 million was blocked in 2016 following his poor performance.

Motswana said the R18.4 million was spent on 164 foundations, including 142 wall plates. He said new service providers have been appointed to finish both projects. This is after conducting assessments and costing the outstanding houses as well as completing the overall tasks.

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