Ekurhuleni Housing Scandal: R87 Million Gone, Beneficiaries Still Homeless

ActionSA has uncovered a shocking housing crisis in Ekurhuleni, where millions of rands have been spent while hundreds of deserving residents remain without homes. Following an urgent engagement with the Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara, ActionSA’s Emma More has secured key commitments to tackle rampant housing hijackings in Ward 88 and address the ongoing collapse of housing projects across the municipality.

At the centre of this crisis is the Hospital View Housing Project in Tembisa, where R87 million has already been spent, yet 500 housing units remain abandoned and incomplete

This critical engagement was called on the back of a growing crisis of unfinished, delayed, and hijacked housing projects across the municipality, which have become a severe burden on the residents of Ekurhuleni. ActionSA requested this meeting to break the deadlock and ensure that tangible progress is made in delivering dignified housing to the people of the city.

ActionSA welcomes the commitments secured during this meeting, specifically the agreement to fast-track reporting and communication to residents who have been waiting for housing. We are particularly encouraged that MEC Motara has agreed to hold a public meeting with the residents of Ward 88.

During this meeting, the MEC is expected to provide a direct update to the community and decisively address the rampant illegal occupation and hijacking of houses in the area, which also severely affects residents in Mackenzieville and Alra Park.

While the party notes the progress made regarding Ward 88, ActionSA remains with deeply concerned with the recent written response from the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements regarding the severe delays at the Hospital View housing project in Tembisa.

Following official questions tabled by ActionSA MPL Emma More, the MEC’s admissions paint a troubling picture of stalled progress, depleted funds, and a dereliction of duty, all to the severe detriment of qualifying beneficiaries.

The response from the Department reveals the following unacceptable facts:

1. The housing project has been completely on hold since June 2022.
2. The delays are primarily driven by a severe lack of funding from the Human Settlements Development Grant.
3. Out of an initial project budget of R97 million, a staggering R87 million has already been spent with little to show for it.
4. The project has stalled at 85% completion, leaving 500 units erected but abandoned at various stages of construction.
5. The assigned contractors Yenzisisa Contractor, Robeco Africa, and Anita Building vacated the site due to community unrest and the depletion of project funds.

Furthermore, it is highly concerning that the Department is only now conducting structural assessments to determine the full extent of the damage the site has sustained from the elements and vandalism since 2022.

Tembisa residents are now being told they must wait an estimated eighteen to twenty-four months for remedial works to be implemented a timeline that is entirely contingent on the Department securing additional funding.

ActionSA will not rest until proper technical planning, resource allocation, and funding are secured to complete these outstanding structures so they can finally be handed over to their rightful beneficiaries.

ActionSA Michael Beaumont (National Chairperson/Strategic Lead) The Architect: Often described as the “brains” behind the party’s operational machinery. Background: He served as the Chief of Staff to Herman Mashaba during his Johannesburg Mayoralty and was a high-level DA administrator before that. The Book: Authored The Accidental Mayor, detailing the challenges of coalition governance in South Africa.