Buffer Zone housing project in disarray
struction since then.”
While several houses have been partially constructed, few have been roofed but Matthews believes the biggest problem was the drainage system, which is already under strain despite not being fully utilised.
“No toilets are being used but already the drains are full. They were built too low and water flows back into the system. The problem gets worse with heavy rains.
“Two houses flood everytime it rains and, although nobody stays in them, they have already been vandalised.
“When construction started on the two sites initially identified for these houses, workers realised that there were massive rocks on the erfs, making construction very difficult.
“They then moved the construction area few hundred meters, but did not consider the fact that they were building on an incline and that this would result in water running into the houses,” Matthews claimed.
Coghsta yesterday distanced itself from any involvement in the development, directing questions to the Dikgatlong Local Municipality.
Efforts to contact the municipal offices were unsuccessful but spokesman for the provincial department, Xhanti Teki, confirmed that they were aware of disagreements between the local government and the service provider.
“The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs can confirm that the service provider for the Buffer Zone Housing Project was appointed by Dikgatlong Municipality,” Teki said.
“The department can further confirm that there are contractual challenges between the municipality and the service provider.
“Our only interest is for the municipality to attend to the contractual challenges so that the houses can be completed and for the beneficiaries to occupy the houses.” Teki added that Coghsta was not aware of any issues with the drains. “It is, however, the responsibility of the municipality to maintain the infrastructure.”