11 March 2008

By Sipho None

HOUSING concerns were in the spotlight during a workshop in the Mogale City town of Lusaka, attended by municipal officials, representatives from the Gauteng housing department and residents.

Held at the Lusaka Community Hall, the gathering was aimed at educating people about housing issues and the basic services provided by the local municipality. It was entitled Housing: consumer education.

The scorching heat of the day outside was matched by the angry atmosphere in the hall, where residents asked questions that they alleged had been ignored by the provincial department and the municipality.

Issues they brought up ranged from the housing waiting list period, corrupt officials who sell housing stands and people who jump the housing waiting list, to inconsistency regarding the issuing of title deeds.

Local councillor David Letsie said the workshop was held to inform residents about the procedures that needed to be followed when selling or buying Reconstruction and Development Programme houses and sites.

"For the past years the provincial government and local municipality have experienced serious problems in terms of rolling out housing projects around Mogale City. And we saw the need to address residents on housing matters," Letsie explained.

"Upon investigating housing cases brought to us, we found out that most of the beneficiaries sold their sites illegally; some owned [more than one] stand in the same area. This is hampering the rolling out houses.

"The most distressing factor is those instances were the beneficiaries [have died] and the family is headed by children, who hardly understand what needs to be done."

Issues brought to the attention of the residents by the officials ranged from housing contracts and law of succession, to application for title deeds. Andrew Moatshe, a housing department official and lawyer, cautioned people about dubious individuals.

"As a department understand that some of our people are not well-informed on matters regarding housing, and it is our responsibility to educate them. [They must] also be wary of conmen who defraud them of their properties.

"We what to inform our people that there are procedures that need to be followed when applying for a title deed and other services that we offer. And we are here to serve that purpose."

Tiny Sibiloane, Mogale City's customer awareness officer, spoke about the City's package of free basic services. "We are happy that residents are now knowledgeable on housing issues and other services that are provided by the municipality and the housing department," he said.

"This workshop gave us an idea of what goes through the minds of people on issues affecting them. And this will help us deal with the backlogs that we are faced with."

Clement Joko, a City housing official, said that the workshop was informative for the officials. "I think the residents benefited the most because they were asking pertinent issues about issues that affect them.

"The residents got what they wanted and this kind of workshop should be an ongoing exercise to teach residents about housing issues. It is disturbing to hear sad stories from our people that they have been deprived of their property because of lack of information."

Housing tops mayor's agenda

Residents speak out at IDP road shows

City scores on service delivery

Mogale shacks targeted for housing

Creative solutions to housing crisis

Mayor has plans for Apple Park