Friday, 11 November 2011

Housing clean-up

Corrupt and incompetent officials named

The cries of disgruntled community members, who allegedly paid R4 000, a bottle of red label Johnnie Walker and a case of beer to authorities to secure a low cost home at uMhlathuze Village have not gone in vain. The Zululand Observer’s unearthing of alleged acts of corruption in the compilation of previous housing beneficiary lists at uMhlathuze Village in August has resulted in a complete clean-up. This after a final investigative report into alleged irregularities regarding uMhlathuze Village and eSikhaleni hostels were presented by Ngubane and Co to the City’s full Council sitting on Tuesday.

Councillors heard in disbelief how 105 houses, meant for the poor, had been rented out at uMhlathuze Village while 28 illegal occupants were identified with four houses allocated to the wrong people. ‘We also found 16 houses locked with the owners reportedly staying at eSikhaleni hostels,’ said Ngubane and Co representative Desmond Msomi. ‘There was also improper intervention by Councillors. ‘Investigation of crèches and tuck-shops showed that they had been allocated to one person. ‘At Madala flats, six units were occupied by SAP members,’ Msomi said. The final investigative report recommended that Chief Housing Admin Officer, Sphiwe Thusi be charged departmentally and criminally while Chief Housing Clerk, David Luthuli be charged departmentally for violating the code of proper practice in the allocation of units.

Thusi allegedly received payment from an intermediary, who operated as his agent in collecting monies from people desperate for government low cost houses at uMhlathuze Village. He further submitted a fraudulent beneficiary list to the implementing agent. The respective City officials had already been placed on precautionary suspension in September pending the finalisation of disciplinary proceedings and the investigation into housing corruption claims. It was also recommended that Councillors BC Mthembu and PM Ntanzi be removed from the Housing Panel and be charged for violating the Council Code of Conduct by displaying favouritism towards certain individuals when allocating houses. ‘Destitute families should be re-allocated a house and rightful owners should be traced. ‘Houses which were locked and unoccupied must be reallocated after advising owners. ‘The City’s Legal Section and Human Settlements must resolve the issue of houses which are rented out and illegal occupation. ‘We recommend a recovery of R1.2-million from implementing agent, Infraserv,’ added Msomi. The report also stated that no houses should be allocated to applicants on the fraudulent beneficiary list.