The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Khanya Ceza, conducted an inspection on R500 million housing projects in Delf, Cape Town.
Ceza expressed disappointment over inadequate planning, citing unclear expenditure breakdowns as the housing project’s major concern.
He also revealed that the Democratic Alliance (DA) failed to provide feedback about the housing project delays.
“Infrastructure is not well planned, because you have to have facilities and there are no facilities,” Ceza said.
This housing project has faced delays from 2023 after it was disrupted by extortionists. However, earlier this year, the DA re-launched the project despite receiving threats.
Extortion in Western Cape
Extortionists are rapidly affecting development in the country and the Western Cape is one of the hard hit provinces.
On Tuesday, 16 September, the NCOP discussed challenges surrounding service delivery, mainly focused on the City of Cape Town.
Addressing the issue of housing, MP, Bheki Radebe, demanded a human settlement constructive plan that can be monitored quarterly.
“Extortions are the issue and are done during the daylight,” he said.
Radebe expressed concerns about the high crime rates in the townships, emphasising the need for action if the South African Police Service (SAPS) is overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, on his latest visit to Western Cape, Radebe inspected the Gugulethu Infill housing Project and Maumau housing projects in Nyanga. He pleaded with role-players to work together and overcome challenges that are causing delays.
Addressing the issue of extortion
Radebe said extortion undermines the work of the government, stressing the need for a commission of inquiry on the issue. He added that government spheres must come up with solutions and deal with extortionists.
The MP asked, “If the army was deployed during the COVID-19 outbreak, then why not now?”
Additionally, the NCOP lamented the impact caused by extortion, stating that some people of Gugulethu have been denied the right to proper housing since 2017.
However, Radebe said he is happy that some of the issues like the hiring of foreign nationals, have been addressed.
To ensure that housing project and other government portfolios runs smoothly, Radebe suggested the deployment of the army. He also recommended that the issue of extortion be declared as a state disaster.
