Can we blame the destitute families of Umlazi if they ask where the millions went that was supposed to build them meager little RDP houses?
A series of electronic payments amounting to about R219 million from the eThekwini municipality (for the expats not so in touch with all the name changes back home, read DURBAN municipality) to high-flying couple S’bu and Shauwn Mpisane has now – eventually – been stopped because there is no progress on the building in RDP houses.
A mere three weeks after receiving another R30-million payment in December, building has been stopped completely. This did not prevent the couple from throwing a bling New Year’s Eve party. Maybe we should also mention that S’bu is a former metro officer and his politically connected wife Shauwn held their extravagant party at their luxurious La Lucia home. They only drank the best whiskies and champagne sitting on special thrones showing off their new Rolls-Royce Phantom (pictured). In attendance was national police commissioner Bheki Cele and other so-called ‘black diamonds’.
Independent newspapers report S’bu, while working as a metro police constable with a salary around R15 000 a month, arrived at work in a Lamborghini. His house is said to be worth R17 million.
Workers of Shauwn Mpisane’s Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport company, as well as those employed by sub-contractors in Umlazi, were told to go home because the company allegedly had no money to continue their work. About 1,300 people have been affected.
The project involved building low-cost cost RDP houses on 4500 sites in Umlazi B10, KwaMgaga and Umlazi Infill. Thousands of houses were still under construction or to be built despite eThekwini’s municipal manager Michael Sutcliffe saying the work has been completed.
Locals are angry. Can we blame them?
