-
Housing development.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, facing a looming motion of no confidence, has vowed to continue serving his municipality with pride and integrity despite the growing frustrations from residents.
The residents have been waiting for RDP houses since 2018, but a R293 million project, which started in 2018 and was meant to be completed within two years, has yet to deliver results. As a result, residents are still living in shacks near the river, with the severe rains recently making their conditions worse.
Xhakaza has blamed fraud within the municipality for the delays in the housing project, stating that it has hindered progress and service delivery to the most vulnerable. He emphasized that an investigation is underway to track the missing funds, and he is committed to rooting out corruption.
Angry residents voiced their disappointment, demanding accountability for the uncompleted housing project.
One resident, Mandlenkosi Skosana, says, “Where did the R293 million go to? Why are the houses not complete? People are living under horrible and inhumane conditions. We have been waiting for these houses since 1991.”
Xhakaza, however, says he remains focused on resolving the issue, insisting that the city will address the rot in the council. He has vowed to ensure that the City of Ekurhuleni fights corruption and ensures public funds are used for the benefit of the people.
He has also claimed that some senior council members have been obstructing a report to the council, but he is determined to escalate the matter to the MEC of Cogta and possibly even go to court to get a declaratory order.
Residents say that after 30 years, they are still chasing after their “dream democracy.”
