R1,3bn needed to rebuild horrible RDP houses

JOHANNESBURG (Sapa) - It would cost R1.3 billion to rebuild badly constructed houses provided under the government's housing programme, Human

Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale said on Monday.

"It's a national shame. This is money down the drain. It is money that should have been spent on new houses," Sexwale said during a visit to the Alphendale community in East London, where 339 poorly constructed houses have to be rebuilt.

He laid the blame for the poor service delivery on corruption by construction companies and government officials.

"Wrong things are being done in the name of government," he said.

"These are people we have entrusted with government jobs and government contracts, they are supposed to serve the people, but they are thieves. If you are corrupt, get out," he said.

"We want to know who built these houses. We need to ask serious questions and bring people to book. We are going to fix the problem, but we are also going to fix the people who caused the problem."

"Where we are given knowledge and information you can trust us, we will act."

Sexwale introduced a National Audit Task Team charged with investigating irregularities in the housing system.

It is led by Special Investigations Unit (SIU) head Willie Hofmeyr and a senior representative of the Auditor General's office.

"We are working with the SIU because they have the power to investigate, but they also have the power to institute criminal and civil action," Sexwale explained.

"But they don't work alone. They are also working with the office of the Auditor General, which is in charge of looking at all our books, to check how we spend money."

The team is already investigating 20 projects, one of which is Alphendale.

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Don't be silly Tokyo This is all part of the ANC jobs for pals - it's what you guys do best - of course you can't punish them - president-in-waiting baby Jules has said "we can not charge our own". PS - what the hell are you doing in this party of morons ? Oh yes, I . .more forgot, they helped you become a billionaire with their money grabbing racial engineering schemes. . .less by Sad days on November 17 2009, 08:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Collusion is rife Mr Sexwale how many times have we been knocking at doors of your provincial offices to present good ideas on how to curb collussion and improve the quality of houses being built. We know well connected people win contracts but at least let them build . .more proper houses after winning those contracts. In an attempt to raise bribe money for the officials who awarded them tenders they compromise quality in order to preserve their margins. It is for this reason that your officials would not let us intervene because we would have stopped their revenue stream. How do you discipline a contractor who in the end delivers a poor quality house when he has paid you a bribe? The ANC is going to suffer hugely on this because people turn around and blame the ANC for the bahaviour of govt officials. Let us help stop this nonsense. R1.3 billion would have gone into other investment area but it is spent on correcting mistakes deliberately done. Whilst you at it arrest the enginners who signed off those projects. . .less by Gambu on November 17 2009, 09:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

We care for our people Well done ANC. You did a good job. by Yonga on November 17 2009, 11:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

anc it's those damned Martians who ruled South Africa before Polokwane.... by witbooi on November 17 2009, 11:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

No government official will be prsecuted - watch the space The problem with sensationalising the shoddy work of service providers in the housing industry is the truth behind the actual work. I will not be surprised if the only people who will ever be prosecuted will be the 'poor' contractor. The money for . .more the work has been shared amongst the the contractor, the politicians and the official. . .less by Miya on November 18 2009, 08:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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