|
'Builder got R5m for 6 toilets'
17/05/2005 22:44 - (SA)
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance has urged Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to set up a team to investigate all incomplete housing projects.
Speaking in the national assembly during debate on the housing budget vote, DA MP James Masango said there was a possibility that, in many cases, developers and contractors had received full payment for finishing a house and yet had only gone as far as laying foundations.
"One contractor in the Free State was paid R5m for building six toilets. It will be suicidal for the government to downplay this, especially with councillors owning building contractors.
"Contractors want to make a profit by building houses, but if you get the same amount for building a foundation or a couple of toilets, why build the whole house?" he said.
There were people who applied in 1996 and were still waiting for their houses, while others had died waiting and their children were homeless.
Some reasons given 'are pure nonsense'
"Some foundations have been there for more than seven years now. It is as if those who were first in the queue for the RDP houses are now being punished.
"These people are becoming sick of waiting for the government to deliver on its promises."
The reasons given for the incomplete projects were pure nonsense and unsubstantiated.
"If you start a project, you must put your plans on the table with a definite starting time, completion time and a plan to overcome any obstacles.
"Why start a project if you can't complete it? Why have things been stalled at foundation level?" Masango asked.
- SAPA
|
News
