PHASE ONE RESIDENCE MUST PAY RENT OR FACE EVICTION SOON

The recent protest by some residents of Phase one of N2 Gateway Project who do not want to honour their rental contractual obligations to Thubelisha reminded me of one speaker at the National Housing Imbizo.  This adult stood up and declared that she proudly received her Government subsidized house in 1998 but no one has come back to repaint, fix her window glasses and also maintain her garden.

She was immediately reminded by her fellow community members of her responsibility towards the special gift she was given for free by Government.  She was told that some of the money she uses to buy traditional beer she must use to buy a new paint for her house, that instead of allowing her children to play with water everyday she must teach them to water the garden, and most importantly she took over full responsibility for her house the day she moved in.

In the heart of the protest on the N2 Gateway Project Phase One is the question of the responsibility of beneficiaries of the Government Housing Programme, and what happens when they do not full fill that responsibility. Government in its Breaking New Ground Plan offers people a number of tenure options, those who cannot afford at all are offered an opportunity to own a fully Government subsidized house, those who can afford but do not want full ownership are short listed and offered to rent, and those who qualify for bonded houses will then buy bonded houses.

We have introduced these three options to firstly cater for those who totally depend on Government for shelter, secondly for those who can afford to rent affordable units close to economic amenities due to the fact that they have family houses somewhere else and also to assist those who earn between R3500 – R7500 to access an affordable bonded house with subsidy from Government.

It is important that when citizens choose any of this option they must understand the responsibility that comes with their choice. It is unacceptable of the tenants of Phase One, N2 Gateway Project to sign a contract that they will pay a certain rent, and after few months they decide they will no longer pay.  When they are reminded of their responsibility they then march to Parliament and other places.  It must be stated that Government will continue to provide all this three options in its effort to address the current housing backlog, and those who choose the rental option will have to pay, and when they do not pay they would be evicted.

Some protestors also indicated that their units require maintenance; Thubelisha will continue to ensure that people leave in decent and safe units.  It is also important that tenants look after their units. A number of electrical and plumbing problems are caused by residence who continues to be negligent and irresponsible when using their appliances. In cases where residents have been negligent or careless, Thubelisha will recover money from them for maintenance.

We must emphasize that all beneficiaries of Government Housing Programme have some level of responsibility and Government will not be taken hostage by some few individuals who think they can sign a contract and change their mind after few weeks. Residence of the N2 Gateway Project will have to pay rent or face evictions soon.

Ndivhuwo Mabaya

Head of Media Services

Department of Housing