Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai double books stands
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has revealed that nearly 8 700 people were affected by double allocation of stands under the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai housing project in Cowdray Park suburb.
When council took over the housing project from Government in 2012, it revealed that there had been double allocation of stands, but this is the first time it has released the number of people affected.
The council said since it took over the administration of the housing project, it has allocated people more than 3 000 stands from the initial 9 000 to solve the problem of double allocations.
BCC’s assistant director of housing and community services Mr Dictor Khumalo told a media briefing on Tuesday that council requires over 4 000 new stands to put the double allocation issue to rest.
“The project was handed over to council by the Government in March 2012 for general administration and provision of services as a self-help housing project.
The council has to date attended to 8 690 individuals affected in double allocations.
It requires 4 345 new stands for the affected people. To date over 3 492 double allocations have been resolved (stands allocated),” said Mr Khumalo.
He said under council’s administration, the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai housing project covers 12 119 stands from 9 000 stands.
More than 850 people are awaiting re-allocation of stands while 627 have withdrawn their applications.
Mr Khumalo said council has also made progress in ensuring that the stands are serviced.
“So far we’ve serviced 8 000 stands (serviced with water) and 2 000 stands serviced with sewer.
However, the roads remain an outstanding issue,” said Mr Khumalo.
He said the beneficiaries of the stands negotiated a downward payments review from the initial $50 to $15 per month — @nqotshili.