Hon Deputy Speaker, the Khutsong housing project in Merafong is yet another example of government's failure to deliver. On 19 February 2009 the national Department of Human Settlements signed a co- operative agreement with other spheres of government to designate the Khutsong project a national priority project.
The plan is to build 5 500 houses by July 2011, but residents, many of whom live in the Khutsong South informal settlement and are desperately waiting for the promised new homes, are going to be disappointed. The urgency of properly built structures is highlighted by the fact that Khutsong is situated on dolomitic soil where sinkholes have occurred in the last number of years.
In mid-2009 a company was awarded a R500 million contract to build 5 500 houses, but only started construction in June 2010. By the end of January this year, only 80 habitable houses had been completed and of these only 23 have occupants. The DA urges the Minister of Human Settlements and the provincial government to do all in their power to speed up the delivery of the promised homes.
Dit is duidelik dat die regering die mense van Merafong soos weggooikinders behandel en nie werklik omgee nie. Dt nadat Merafong soos 'n lap tussen die Noordwes- en Gautengse regering rondgegooi is. (Translation of Afrikaans member's statement follows.)
[It is clear that the government treats the people of Merafong like abandoned children and does not really care. This after Merafong was tossed around like a rag between the North West and Gauteng governments.]
The people of Merafong deserve better, and perhaps on 18 May this year they will choose a better government, a DA government that will unblock housing projects in their area. I thank you. [Applause.]