Corruption Affects Housing Market

November 25- Many of South Africa's poor have had their dream homes turn into dangerous dwellings only one year after moving in.

When the ANC government declared its intention to build millions of  housing units for the underprivileged in the country, it was one of the political group's most ambitious and well-accepted projects to date.

The government has since built 2.8 million homes for South Africa's squatters and even handed them to the new owners free of charge.

But while the housing efforts are commendable, it seems that dream is, literally, disintegrating before the new owners' very eyes.

One year down the line and many new homeowners are complaining that the building quality is so poor that the cement is cracking, the earth under the concrete foundation is eroding and there is not enough ventilation in homes where paraffin based heating and cooking is the norm.

Angry residents are demanding that the homes be demolished and built again.

"We are coming from suffering," said one resident who moved with his seven family members into a new home only one year ago. "We thought we were better because we have got shelter. Now I think it's not better."

While the central government funded the massive project, the work was carried out at all level of governments and the quality of contractors varied greatly.

Some contractors received money for homes that are so substandard that the government ordered their demolition. In the Eastern Cape, 20,000 RDP homes have been destroyed and are in the process of being rebuilt.

A total of R1.3 billion will be spent destroying and rebuilding homes. "This is money down the drain," said Tokyo Sexwale, Minister of Housing and Human Settlements. It is money that should have been spent on new houses."

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11/25/2009 11:05:37 AM