Minister Madikizela: A Lasting Solution Found for Gugulethu Backyarders | Western Cape Government

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Minister Madikizela: A Lasting Solution Found for Gugulethu Backyarders

7 September 2011

Media Statement by Minister of Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela

The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements has decided to accommodate the members of the Gugulethu backyarders who were fraudulently deleted off the Our Pride Housing Project, Gugulethu. Phase 1 consists of 600 new houses and is in the final stages of completion.

I am aware that 195 potential beneficiaries in Phase 1 of Our Pride Project were unfairly removed from the original housing list by the PSC (Project Steering Committee) for not attending meetings, yet after they had been coerced into payment by the PSC Chairwomen to be on the list.

I am very unhappy that money was paid to be on the housing list and also that the beneficiaries were deleted from the original group. I have already made it very clear to the community, through public meetings, that no money is required to be paid to anyone to be put on a government housing list or to be a part of a government project.

The Department currently has a group of 47 deleted beneficiaries who still wish to be a part of the project. In order to be accommodated, the 47 beneficiaries will need to provide authenticated proof that they were deleted from the original beneficiary list. These 47 will then be assessed for reinstatement, and checked on the Department's database to see if they qualify for a housing subsidy. If they do qualify, they will be accommodated in some of the remaining houses of Phase 1 of the Our Pride Project.

I have also decided to personally investigate the allegations that there are residents of the Our Pride Project who have fraudulently taken ownership of houses in the project. I have asked the Our Pride Gugulethu Group to give me a list of names of the these residents, and I personally will go to these houses on 18 September 2011, accompanied by members of the Special Investigating Unit, to find out if these allegations are true.

I will not hesitate to take strong actions against anyone who has taken occupation of a house through corrupt means.

Media Enquiries: 

Bruce Oom
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 021 483 6622
Cell: 072 465 5177
E-mail: Bruce.Oom@pgwc.gov.za