RDP HOUSES TURNED INTO SPAZA SHOPS, HARDWARE STORES IN KHUTSONG AS GAUTENG GOVT FUMES

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has uncovered widespread abuse of government-subsidised RDP houses in Khutsong, Merafong Local Municipality, with some properties allegedly being rented out and converted into businesses.

Unannounced inspections conducted in Khutsong Extensions 5 and 6 uncovered houses that had been abandoned, vandalised, rented to other people and illegally converted into commercial premises.

In one case, an RDP house had allegedly been rented to foreign nationals who were operating a spaza shop from the property, while internal walls had been demolished.

Two other houses had been converted into hardware stores, while another property was being used as a panel-beating business.

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara expressed concern over the misuse of houses intended to provide secure accommodation to qualifying beneficiaries.

“Government-subsidised houses are provided to give qualifying families a secure place to call home, not to be converted into businesses or rented out for profit,” Motara said.

She said it was deeply concerning that homes intended to provide dignity and shelter were being abandoned, rented out or turned into commercial businesses.

The department's findings come as it continues implementing the Khutsong Housing Project, which is expected to yield approximately 18,000 housing units.

The first phase, consisting of 5,500 houses, was completed in 2012, while the second phase began in 2017.

According to the department, 611 houses have so far been completed and allocated, with a further 83 still outstanding.

The department warned that abandoning subsidised houses, using them for unlawful commercial activities or renting them out undermines the purpose of the human settlements programme.

Motara said monitoring would be strengthened and that appropriate action would be taken against beneficiaries found to have contravened the conditions attached to their housing allocations.

The department has also called on communities to report cases where RDP houses are being rented out, abandoned or used for purposes other than residential accommodation.

The latest revelations are likely to intensify scrutiny of the allocation and monitoring of subsidised housing in Gauteng, particularly in areas where demand for government housing remains high.