eThekwini mayor Obed Mlaba has unveiled a new programme which will help thousands of people to buy the council flats they have been renting for decades.
According to an article on IOL the programme will promote ownership to 60 000 residents living in council flats or state financed housing throughout the municipality.
"Tenants and purchasers who earn a household income of less than R1 500 a month will qualify for the maximum discount of R31 929. Indigent pensioners will be in line to benefit from this massive government discount.
"Those tenants and purchasers who earn between R1 500 and R3 500 will be given a discount of R29 450," Mlaba was quoted as saying.
"The total rental arrears accrued to date, excluding penalty charges, will be put on hold and the debts are to be endorsed on the title deed of the property. The accrued penalties will be waived and the balance of the debt will be deferred," he added.
Mlaba also announced that the council would spend an additional R98-million to refurbish council flats to have them in good condition before people bought them.
The money will be used to rehabilitate dilapidated buildings. This will include redecoration of exterior walls, repairs and the replacement of asbestos roofing.
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