Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has given 55 beneficiaries of Hlalani Kuhle housing project a six-month ultimatum to develop their stands.
The council said in the event of the beneficiaries failing to meet the deadline, it will repossess the stands.
Government in 2009 handed over the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai housing project to local authorities following a Cabinet resolution.
The local authorities were tasked, among other measures, to address issues to do with double allocation of stands under the scheme.
BCC director of Housing and Community Services Mr Dictor Khumalo said recently that council has made strides towards addressing the Hlalani Kuhle housing challenges.
Mr Khumalo said written notices were issued to nearly 100 stand beneficiaries who did not comply with regulations last year.
“A total of non-compliance notices were sent to 103 beneficiaries. Out of those 54 responded positively while 55 beneficiaries did not. These non-compliances notices were sent between October and November 2020.
“A final re-check was done in June 2021. Total schedules of 49 stands which were in segment three and eight were allocated stands during the years 2005, 2006 and 2007,” said Mr Khumalo.
“The stands were at different levels of development as indicated below. The beneficiaries have not complied with council resolution and policies as well as Cabinet decisions of May 2009.”
Mr Khumalo recommended to council to repossess the stands of the 55 people who had not complied with council regulations.
However, the city fathers resolved to give the beneficiaries a further grace period.
“That a further six months building period be given to all beneficiaries through written notices. That failure of which the beneficiaries be given first option to re-purchase the stands at a price recommended by city valuer. That failure to take up the offer of the stands is used to resolve outstanding double allocation and the excess be allocated to deserving beneficiaries on the council waiting list,” reads the council minutes.
In 2009, Cabinet directed local authorities to ensure that Hlalani Kuhle beneficiaries pay development levies to local authorities hence some of the people who are at risk of losing their stands had not made any payments.
“It was therefore directed that council should resolve the challenges of double allocations without prejudicing those beneficiaries with genuine need for shelter, with the major highlight on re-allocation. First priority to be given to beneficiaries who had already constructed structures on the stands. Second priority was to observe those beneficiaries who had paid development fees to the Bulawayo Home Seekers Consortium Trust and Lease fees to council. Beneficiaries to obtain Lease Agreement and pay for the required Lease fees to council. This was a self-help project where beneficiaries contributed in the servicing of their stands,” read the minutes. — @bonganinkunzi
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