Probe illegal allocation of RDP houses

THE provincial human settlements MEC's decision to investigate and take action against the illegal allocation and use of RDP houses should be applauded ("Illegal use of RDP houses to be probed", November 19).

It is estimated there are currently more than 2000 RDP houses in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality that are illegally occupied by people who do not qualify as beneficiaries. Further allegations indicate that many of the illegal occupants have been placed in the houses by municipal officials.

There are many cases where the legal beneficiaries arrive to take occupation of their RDP houses, only to find to their alarm that the houses are already occupied by other families.

One example is Joy (not her real name), who has been fighting for 10 years with officials to gain the legal occupancy of her RDP dwelling, for which she holds the property title deed. An investigation by the human settlements directorate confirmed this property had been illegally allocated by a previous municipal official.

Despite numerous letters of appeal, interviews and repeated visits to the municipal offices, the officials have to this day not placed Joy, the legal owner of the house in question, in her dwelling. Neither have any attempts been made to provide Joy with alternate accommodation.

Rumours are rife among communities that a "facilitation fee" of R6000 will procure a R100000 RDP house.

It is hoped MEC Helen Sauls-August will not only conduct an in-depth audit of RDP housing allocation, but also take legal action that will lead to the prosecution and conviction of the errant persons who illegally allocate and/or sell RDP houses.

Andrew Gibbon, DA spokesperson, housing, planning and land, NMBM