Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni expressed her satisifaction with the progress made on rehabilitation of storm damaged houses during her an unannounced visit to KaNyamazane, City of Mbombela on 3 October 2018.

Together with Human Settlements MEC, Norah Mahlangu, Economic Development MEC, Skhumbuzo Kholwane and City of Mbombela Executive Mayor, Cllr Sbusiso Mathonsi, Premier Mtshweni was delighted that about 400 critically damaged houses were successfully renovated.The entourage inspected the work currently underway and interacted with beneficiaries on their general sense of the project.

Premier Mtshweni also commended the community for their remarkable patience with the contractors and the department for adding 12 new contractors to fast track and increases the capacity on the ground.

“As government we are satisfied with the progress that has been recorded in the area so far. Although there is more work ahead,  we are hopeful that with the addition of contractors on the ground we should be able to meet our target by December,” said Premier Mtshweni.

This was one of the recent visits conducted by the Premieri to the affected settlements which also experienced service delivery protests as residents protested against delays in fixing their storm damaged houses.

The violent public protests delayed the delivery of the project which had already started in July, resulted in e, damage to property and disruption of livelihoods taking the centre stage.

“I am grateful to our government for the intervention. I honestly would not have been able to afford to fix the damages to my house on my own. I am unemployed and have no income. I just believe that if we can learn to be patient with our government we can all get helped, said one of the beneficiaries MrMduduzi Mndawe.

Sharing the same sentiments with Mndawe was Ms Lindiwe Dube who despite complaining about a few snags still to be addressed, commended the Department’s intervention during her time of despair.

“Today my house is back to normal. The only issue that was confusing was when the interventions seemed too slow. However, now that we can see for ourselves your determination to assist us, we are very happy. Thanks for not abandoning us in our desperate hour,” said Dube.

While the provincial Department is awaiting positive feedback on additional funding from national government, Premier Mtshweni hinted that the province may have to consider aiding the situation during Provincial Budget Adjustment in November.