Bhisho ready to report back to protesters

R25-million kept for Keiskammahoek housing project

THE Eastern Cape human settlements department has spent more than R6-million of its R25million budget for housing development in Keiskammahoek .

Reacting to the Keiskammahoek service delivery protest, provincial human settlements spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said the department had built 200 RDP houses as part of phase one in Masincedane village.

“The department has set aside [a] budget of R25 059 100 for Keiskammahoek Project 1255. Of this total budget, R6 287 519 has already been spent to date,” Sicwetsha said.

He said the total number of the houses was 1 255 and the remaining 1 055 would be constructed as part of phase two.

The first 200 homes were for destitute and vulnerable group beneficiaries.

The whole project of 200 units for the destitute will be completed this financial year ending in March next year.

The Daily Dispatch reported that Keiskammahoek residents went on the rampage this week, setting a municipal building alight, an old ANC constituency office building and the local library, while blockading roads with burning tyres, demanding improved services.

The litany of demands includes a provision of scholar transport, building of a hospital and a fire station and the rectification of RDP houses in the Masincedane and Sophumelela villages.

Premier Phumulo Masualle this week said his government was ready to report back to the people of Keiskammahoek on progress made with their demands.

He said government had committed itself to responding within the stipulated seven days but the Easter holiday had created delays with the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) leadership telling his government to delay reporting.

However this was disputed by Sanco provincial secretary Tony Duba, who accused Masualle of poor leadership. —