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Lusithi Must Account for Compliance Irregularities in Breidbach

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands urgent accountability from Human Settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi, regarding serious compliance irregularities at the Breidbach 560 site phase 1 housing project. During a recent oversight inspection, I discovered that beneficiaries had become victims of political grandstanding by MEC Lusithi and Buffalo City Metro Mayor Princess Faku, who hastily handed over houses just before the national and provincial elections eight months ago.

These houses remain incomplete and below acceptable standards.

The Breidbach 560 project commenced in August 2015 and was scheduled for completion by September 2018. However, it has experienced repeated delays and empty promises from the Department of Human Settlements. Despite being listed as one of the “unblocked” projects, the site today reflects an alarming level of mismanagement.

A key area of concern is the irregular awarding of the tender to DCI Holdings, trading as Daku Group. This company was placed under sequestration in November 2015, according to Government Gazette No. 40604, just months after securing the tender.

Moreover, DCI Holdings had previously been flagged for poor workmanship and non-compliance in other housing projects, including the Lesseyton and Ntsongeni developments in Komani (Queenstown). These concerns have once again resurfaced at Breidbach.

During my inspection, I identified several serious deficiencies:

  • Houses handed over to beneficiaries lack proper water and sanitation systems.
  • Sewerage outlets have not been constructed.
  • The quality of workmanship is poor, with visible cracks in many homes.
  • The main sewerage line has not been installed correctly.
  • Streetlights remain unconnected, leaving the area in darkness.
  • Plumbers and electricians have not been paid for over four months.
  • Incomplete, vandalized homes with overgrown grass stand as a stark reminder of the department’s neglect.

These failures cannot be ignored. MEC Lusithi must, within 30 days, provide a full report detailing the irregular appointment of DCI Holdings and compliance and technical reports addressing plumbing, electricity, and outstanding payments to service providers. This must be accompanied by clear actions to resolve these issues.

The DA has long raised concerns about the lack of consequence management in the Department of Human Settlements. The awarding of tenders to DCI Holdings, despite its history of non-compliance, highlights serious supply chain management irregularities and exposes the department’s failure to blacklist defaulting contractors.

We will continue to fight for these shortcomings to be rectified. The people of Breidbach have waited nearly a decade, they deserve decent homes.

Regards

Chantel King MPL
DA Shadow MEC for Human Settlements

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