Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has unveiled a R430 million bulk infrastructure project in Moqhaka Local Municipality, Free State.
Unveiled on Friday, the bulk infrastructure project for Maokeng Extension 10 and 13 will yield 5 300 serviced stands to benefit the community of Moqhaka in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality.
The project also includes sites for public amenities like schools and recreational facilities.
Kubayi said the infrastructure project will provide a huge financial injection into the municipality.
“This will be in the form of labour, the procurement of materials, diesel and hiring of plant machines. As part of local economic development, 30% of the value of the project will be spent on local sub-contractors,” Kubayi explained.
The event was followed by a community engagement at Constantia Hall in Maokeng township, where the Minister handed over 445 title deeds to the rightful beneficiaries.
The handing over of title deeds is part of the Title Deeds Friday campaign, which the department is embarking on to restor dignity by fast-tracking the issuing of title deeds to the rightful owners.
Kubayi said about 30 000 title deeds are readily available for handing over to beneficiaries around the country, and the Free State province accounts for the highest number, at least 16 000 title deeds.
The Minister said the main obstacle to the delivery of title deeds to beneficiaries is township establishment. She urged municipalities to state their problems in the planning process, as they delay the issuing of titles.
Joined by Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements MEC, Ketso Makume and Moqhaka Local Municipality Mayor, Ellis Mokatsane, Kubayi used the opportunity to reiterate the department’s warning to contractors who leave projects incomplete.
“The worst scenario is if you take the money and do not complete the work. It disadvantages communities who must benefit. Some contractors fail to complete projects because of criminal elements who demand money from them and disrupt the implementation of projects.
“We are pleased the Security Cluster has come on board to rid the sector of these criminal elements. Communities must work with government, as the Security Cluster continues to be seized with resolving this untenable situation of project disruptions,” the Minister said.
Kubayi called on councillors to interact with communities, citing an agreement with Mokatsane that all ward councillors will, in the next two weeks, call community meetings to talk to the people about developments in their areas.
Makume reiterated government’s commitment to clear all backlogs, saying that a title deed “restores people’s dignity and confirms the ownership of property”.
“To many, it gives hope to their children that they will have a home to live in even when they pass on, and it is also means giving our people the land,” Makume said.
