By Anita Dangazele
Housing delivery in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has improved, but it still faces delays due to extortion, slow electrification, land shortages, and a large backlog.
The Eastern Cape legislature’s human settlement portfolio committee is visiting various areas in the province to inspect housing projects and hear community concerns.
NMBM officials informed the committee that the construction mafia had kidnapped a contractor, causing delays as contractors now require security escorts.
Human Settlements MMC Thembinkosi Mafana stated that some projects had been abandoned due to extortion.
“In Walmer, four contractors working on 1,948 temporary homes had to pay extortion fees. Another contractor refused and wrote to the national department,” Mafana said on Wednesday.
A project in Chatty also halted due to payment demands from a gang.
For 2024-25, the metro received R123 million to build 600 houses, but only 126 have been completed so far.
The metro faces a backlog of 126,000 houses across 184 approved informal settlements.
Portfolio chair MPL Makhaya Mtwabu noted that, despite the challenges, housing delivery is generally progressing well.
“We found some small issues like project disruptions, poor coordination between departments, and minor house defects,” Mtwabu said.
The committee visited projects in Chatty, Kwanobuhle, Motherwell, and Khayamnandi.
Pictured above: Eastern Cape legislature’s human settlements portfolio committee chair,
Makhaya Mtwabu with NMBM MMC for Human Settlements Thembinkosi Mafana and other officials.
Source: Supplied
