By Clive Ndou

EKURHULENI Mayor Duma Nkosi announced on Friday that the council had resolved to prioritise and fast track the delivery of houses for those who have been on the list since 1996 and 1997.

"These people have been on the least for far too long and we have to see to it that they get first preference in the next housing projects we are about to launch. All those people who applied between 1996\97 will get houses within the next two year," he said.

Nkosi stated that the housing backlog would be cleared by 2007. Ekurhuleni Metro has a population of 2 480 276 and a housing backlog of 133 000 units. Thabang Ramasike, 76, who lives at the Zama-Zama informal settlement in Katlehong applied for an R.D.P house in 1996. In the last seven years, he had been relocating from one shack to another and had to endure the impatience of seeing others who applied before him getting houses.

News that he will be one of those who will get first preference in the next housing development project means the shack he currently lives in will probable be his last. He told BuaNews that was relieved to know the council is addressing his plight. "I can't wait to get home and tell my wife about the good news. This is confirmation that the government haven't forget about us. For a long time I have been watching people who registered long after me getting houses. Now it's my time and I'm happy to know that I won't die without a house", he said.

Tlou will not only get first preference on the allocation of houses, the mayor also announced that he has sent a letter to the Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, to approve the council plan to offer services discount to pensioners and the disabled. "As much as the council wants everyone to pay for services, we also have a morale obligation to assist the old and the disabled. It is in this spirit that we have proposed that those who fall and these categories get a discount of some sort", he said.
Source: BuaNews