The City’s Sir Lowry Pass affordable housing project is making steady progress and is expected to be complete in mid-2024, if all goes as planned.

The project will provide 307 housing opportunities for qualifying beneficiaries.

The Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, and officials of the City’s Human Settlements Directorate visited the site on Tuesday (7 February) to check on its progress. There have been some project delays, among other things the alleged extortion of contractors. This is one of many City housing projects across the metro that have been impacted by this phenomenon.

“We urge law-enforcement authorities, including the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority,” he said, “to ensure there are consequences for extortionists disrupting progress at City housing projects. Members of the public are also encouraged to contact the City, anonymously if they so choose so that we can bring an end to this criminal act together. In the City’s January 2023 Adjustments Budget, the City approved a R15 million top-up budget for additional security for housing construction sites.

“This housing project is expected to be completed in mid-2024, if all goes according to plan. The R101 million expenditure includes money for bulk earthworks; internal civil engineering services for the provision of water, sanitation and roads; electricity reticulation and street lighting; and free-standing and semi-detached duplex units.

“We are happy with the work on site and we look forward to providing beneficiaries of the area and surrounding areas with affordable homes. We urge members of the community and our beneficiaries to work with the City so that we can make progress possible in the shortest time possible.

“The City condemns in the strongest terms any attempts of intimidation, interference or attacks on City staff and contractors while on site. We are committed to providing affordable homes to residents in areas in the metro and the safety of members of staff and contractors remains of utmost consideration at all times. The City will not allow criminals to hold our communities and affordable housing projects hostage and we appeal to residents to help us and to report these perpetrators to the SAPS.”

Beneficiaries of this project will be selected in accordance with the City’s Housing Allocation Policy and Housing Needs Register to ensure housing opportunities are made available in a fair and transparent manner that prevents queue jumping and to those who qualify for housing as per the South African legislation. The City is engaging beneficiaries.

Anonymous tip-offs welcomed:

Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place, which has happened or is still due to happen. Please call 112 from a cellphone (toll-free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.