THE CITY of uMhlathuze has distanced itself from an alleged housing beneficiary ‘list’ which is circulating relating to the proposed Aquadene Housing Project.
This after a progress report was presented to the Executive Committee last week and highlighted concerns raised by community members about people compiling a ‘beneficiary list’ and promising houses to locals.
City Communications Manager Mdu Ncalane issued a statement on Wednesday confirming they had received queries and complaints, especially from Aquadene and Brackenham residents about the list, believed to have been prepared after the signing of the Aquadene Housing Project Social Compact Agreement on 7 July.
Ncalane dismissed the list as illegitimate and urged people to ignore it.
He said in terms of the Constitution and the National Housing Act, no member of the public should pay any amount of money to be registered as a beneficiary of a Government housing project.
‘The municipality wishes to advise communities that the Social Compact Committee will approach Council for endorsement when the beneficiary registration process is ready to commence. At this point in time it has not begun,’ Ncalane said.
‘The housing beneficiary administration process is the responsibility of the municipality guided by national and provincial policies.
‘The residents of uMhlathuze will be officially informed through ward councillors and in the media when the registration process commences.’
For more information regarding housing queries, the public can contact the Project Managers Wiseman Mtimkulu (035 9075628 or e-mail mtimkuluwm@umhlathuze.gov.za) and Thobekile Mkhize (035 9075057 or e-mail mkhizeth@umhlathuze.gov.za). Alternatively visit the Human Settlements offices at the Empangeni Civic Centre between 7.20am and 4pm.
