CLAYVILLE - More than R122 million spent, but not a single family has moved in.
What was meant to be a social housing development project for hundreds in Clayville near Thembisa stands incomplete.
The City of Ekurhuleni used the wrong grant to fund the project and had to stop construction before it was complete.
It's been vandalised, stripped, and left to decay.
For residents who have waited years for a place to call home, this is more than just another failed government project.
Seven years on, and this housing development in Ekurhuleni is still not complete.
Instead, what remains of the Clayville extension 45 social housing project is a shell.
The site has been exposed to vandalism and criminal activity.
When eNCA visited the site, fencing was finally being put up.
But that intervention has come far too late. With millions of rand already spent, questions are now mounting about how this project was allowed to fail.
Ekurhuleni Housing Company CEO, Zingsani Nkamana, said the City erroneously used the wrong grant.
“The city has used the wrong grant to fund the project. And this was picked up by national treasury, and the City had to take a decision to withdraw that funding because it was using the wrong grant, not meant for the development of social housing.”
Nkamana said a new budget of R50 million has now been put aside to complete the project.
OUTA CEO, Wayne Duvenage, said: “Are we surprised? I guess is the question now. Are we surprised that this has happened? No, we’re not surprised. This is just another case of many. Of hundreds across the country where city management fails in their oversight duties. Fail in protecting our taxes.”
The development was meant to deliver over 450 housing units, offering hope to families desperate for social housing.
That hope has turned into frustration, and residents say the system is failing those who need housing the most.
Pat Mohlala, a community liaison officer, said the community is sad.
“All the citizens of Clayville, I think they are worried as they enter the entrance of Clayville because that’s where the project is. The community is sad. They are not happy looking at how this infrastructure was developed and meant for housing for an allocated number of people. We know there’s a huge need for housing for poor people and all of the middle class, and the like.”