Strand residents march to ASLA offices
STRAND residents are angry with the construction company that built their low-cost government houses, complaining they were built with cracked walls and they have had to endure cold and wet winters for over 10 years.
Yesterday a group protested, stating that their houses were unsafe and demanding new houses be built. They claim the walls could collapse due to the cracks and foundations could cave in, causing injuries or death.
A group of protesters marched to the offices of construction company ASLA, to make demands to company bosses.
Home owner Mnoneleli Ngacu of Asanda Village said that during windy weather, his two-bedroomed house “shakes” and water flowed in when it rained.
“The floor is caving in and the house could collapse, but I fear that when that happens, someone may be in the house. We complained but no action has been taken,” said Ngacu.
Resident Nosicelo Bityana said their problems had started a few years after the Strand houses were completed in 2002.
“We have been living in these conditions all these years and our complaints have not been attended to,” she said.
Her life, and the lives of her children, were in danger, Bityana said.
Community leader Jackson Mxinzeleli said ASLA should send a surveyor to assess the houses.
“It is wet and cold in every room. The water comes through cracks from outside and from the roof, because the ceilings were not done properly,” he said.
ASLA director Tony Byleveldt said concerns would be investigated and a preliminary report would be provided to the community within 14 days.
“It is the first that I have been hearing of the concerns,” he said.
“We will intervene only and when we are approached,” Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela said.