Latest news with #TasneemMotara
The Herald
4 days ago
- General
- The Herald
'Fraudster' arrested after allegedly confessing to RDP housing scam
A woman who allegedly scammed a number of people by promising to fast-track their applications for government-subsidised housing has been arrested after allegedly walking into the Gauteng department of human settlements office and confessing her crimes. The woman told a senior official at the department's customer support centre earlier this week she had illegally collected more than R100,000 from members of the public, the department said She claimed she could help them 'jump the housing waiting list' and secure Breaking New Ground or RDP houses. The official alerted authorities and the suspect was apprehended in a joint operation by the department and the Ekurhuleni metro police. She is now in police custody and faces charges of fraud. Human settlements MEC Tasneem Motara praised the official who escalated the matter. 'I commend the official who acted responsibly and was not tempted to get involved in corrupt activity herself. We are serious about cracking down on corruption and fraud, especially those who are trying to take advantage of citizens who have a real need to be allocated [housing] as soon as possible.' The department reiterated warnings about housing scams and reminded the public it does not charge for any of its services. It urged residents to remain alert and avoid being duped by individuals who falsely claim to be government officials. 'Please be aware of unscrupulous individuals who pose as officials from the Gauteng department of human settlement — falsely claiming to be MECs or heads of department to deceive and extort money from the public.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
'Fraudster' arrested after allegedly confessing to RDP housing scam
A woman who allegedly scammed a number of people by promising to fast-track their applications for government subsidised housing has been arrested after allegedly walking into the Gauteng department of human settlements office and confessing her crimes. The woman told a senior official at the department's customer support centre earlier this week she had illegally collected more than R100,000 from members of the public, the department said She claimed she could help them 'jump the housing waiting list' and secure Breaking New Ground or RDP houses. The official alerted authorities and the suspect was apprehended in a joint operation by the department and the Ekurhuleni metro police. She is now in police custody and faces charges of fraud. Human settlements MEC Tasneem Motara praised the official who escalated the matter. 'I commend the official who acted responsibly and was not tempted to get involved in corrupt activity herself. We are serious about cracking down on corruption and fraud, especially those who are trying to take advantage of citizens who have a real need to be allocated [housing] as soon as possible.' The department reiterated warnings about housing scams and reminded the public it does not charge for any of its services. It urged residents to remain alert and avoid being duped by individuals who falsely claim to be government officials. 'Please be aware of unscrupulous individuals who pose as officials from the Gauteng department of human settlement — falsely claiming to be MECs or heads of department to deceive and extort money from the public.'
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Eersterust residents stand firm against government relocation amid housing crisis
Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara and City of Tshwane's MMC for Human Settlements Aaron Maluleka led a team of government officials to assess the living conditions of the residents in Eersterust. Image: Rapula Moatshe Eersterust residents, who illegally occupied empty land during the Covid-19 pandemic, have vowed to defy the government's imminent plans to relocate them from the area, which is considered unsuitable for housing. This was revealed by residents on Tuesday during a visit to the area by Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara and City of Tshwane's MMC for Human Settlements Aaron Maluleka. The pair visited the informal settlement to assess the living conditions of the residents. They told residents about the plans in the pipeline to relocate them from the area, citing its unsuitability for housing. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Motara said: 'The surveys that the municipality has conducted indicate that the land is not developable; it is probably because of the soil type.' However, some residents have shown reluctance to relocate from the land. One of them, Linah Mlanjeni, said she illegally erected her shack on the land because renting had become too expensive for her. 'Renting is very expensive for us, and mostly the job that we are doing does not pay at least R10 000 salary a month. I have the responsibility to feed myself and my children,' she said. She expressed frustration over broken government promises of housing, questioning the claim that the land is unsuitable for building. 'They wanted to build a garage here. How can it not be suitable for building? We disagree on that. There are people who are already staying here in brick houses,' she said. Lizzy Bosman echoed similar concerns, citing unaffordable rent, which can be at least R6 000 for a small room. 'We don't want to leave this place, it is home, we have grown up here, and now we have kids of our own,' she said. Other residents demanded development in the area, highlighting the absence of basic amenities like toilets, clean water, and electricity. The residents firmly reiterated their opposition to relocation, insisting they will not leave Eersterust under any circumstances. Motara said the municipality has identified suitable land for relocation and will provide further details about it soon. 'If I tell you where the land is, then tomorrow they will invade it. We know where the land is,' she said. She said the relocation will happen as soon as her department and Tshwane have finalised the necessary processes, which include budgeting for it. When asked about handling those who refuse relocation, she said that relocation is necessary and there are various ways to address resistance. For example, she said, for residents occupying Sanral land, the entity would need to obtain a court-ordered eviction. 'We have to evict those people and relocate them. That land is unsuitable for people to reside on. To avert a disaster, they have to relocate. Where? It is based on where we have land and where the project is available,' Motara said. She urged everybody to respect the rule of law and refrain from invading land and constructing permanent structures. Maluleka said 79 people occupying Sanral's road reserves need urgent relocation due to road construction, while the total number of residents in the informal settlement is 1 149. 'We have to acknowledge the injustices of the past that people were deprived of land,' he said. He explained that the settlement emerged because the community felt neglected and left behind for a long time. 'We don't want to overpromise but whatever we are going to do, let's work together to be able to speed up development,' he said.
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- The Citizen
Man killed in structural collapse at abandoned R11 billion housing project
The Montrose Mega City housing project began in 2017 but has since stalled due to the liquidation of appointed contractors. A man died on the West Rand after being trapped under the rubble of an incomplete social housing project. The man was declared dead after a wall at the dilapidated government housing development collapsed on Tuesday. The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) extended its condolences to the deceased's family and stated that it was still committed to the project's completion. Failed steel reinforcements GDHS confirmed on Thursday that police were investigating the matter, but that the victim should not have been on the property. 'Preliminary information indicates that the individual was involved in unauthorised illegal activities at the site when a portion of a staircase structure collapsed,' the department stated. 'We wish to clarify that the building itself did not collapse, but rather that slabs forming part of the staircase gave way as the building's steel reinforcements were tampered with,' it clarified. The site has been a danger for several years, and the department stated that it was now in the final stages of securing a security service provider. The department reminded community members not to access the buildings, as further damage and vandalism will only delay their construction. 'I plead with the community not to enter the site, and to desist from removing any materials on the site,' stated Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara. 'We have criminally charged those found stealing on site and will do so again should we find any criminal activity on site again,' the MEC added. Montrose Mega City The Montrose Mega City project in Randfontein was launched in 2017 but has since failed to realise its proposed potential. The fully completed project was meant to provide just over 10 500 units of varying sizes at a cost of R11 billion for the impoverished people of the surrounding informal settlements. Infrastructure of any value that was installed has been stripped by vandals, while the unoccupied ruins are a haven for criminality and shelter for illegal miners. The development remains a brick-and-mortar shell without basic utilities and only temporary water and sewer infrastructure. Only R467 million of that overall budget has been spent so far, however, the long-term human cost of the stalled project is yet to be realised. Calls for investigation In the aftermath of the incident, Democratic Alliance (DA) shadow MEC Evert du Plessis stated the department had 'blood on their hands'. 'Premier Lesufi's government chose an incompetent company that has failed to deliver and is now holding this R11 billion project to ransom,' stated Du Plessis. ActionSA have also flagged the project's wastefulness in recent months, joining the DA in calling for accountability and extensive investigations. 'In addition to being an infrastructure disaster, this project is a breach of public confidence and a waste of tax revenue that could have changed lives and supplied much-needed housing,' stated ActionSA's Emma More. Commitment to completion GDHS confirmed the housing project was still part of their plans, representing a 'significant step in our commitment to delivering sustainable human settlements'. The department stated that it is in contact with the landowner to discuss the way forward after the appointed developer has been liquidated. 'The Department will continue to update the community of any progress we make in this regard. 'We remain fully committed to the safe and successful completion of the Montrose Mega City Development,' the department concluded. NOW READ: PICS: Gauteng's abandoned projects ruined by 'challenges' and vandalism
IOL News
08-05-2025
- IOL News
Tragic accident at Randfontein construction site prompts Gauteng Department's urgent response
SARZA volunteers and emergency responders at the Randfontein collapse site, where one body was recovered late Monday, May 5. Image: Arrive Alive The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements expressed its sorrow on Thursday over the tragic incident earlier this week at the Montrose Mega City Development site in Randfontein, which resulted in one fatality. The department said preliminary information indicates that the deceased was involved in unauthorised illegal activities at the site when a portion of a staircase structure collapsed and fell on him. According to the department, the building itself did not collapse; instead, slabs that were part of the staircase gave way due to tampering with the building's steel reinforcements. Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara. Image: File, Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers The department said the matter has been reported to the police, and a formal investigation is under way. Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara said: "We call upon the local community to join us in protecting this important housing development. Land invasions, theft, and vandalism not only delay the delivery of much-needed housing but also endanger lives." The department stated that they are negotiating with the landowner to determine the best approach for taking over the project, which remains a key priority as it represents a significant step in their commitment to delivering sustainable human settlements. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng have called for Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the Motara to be held accountable for the death, citing that the structure is deteriorating. According to the DA, the government chose an incompetent company instead of hiring a competent developer, and the company has failed to deliver and is now holding this R11 billion project to ransom. The DA's Evert Du Plessis said: "Rather than providing relief to the thousands of residents in Randfontein who are currently enduring inhumane and undignified living conditions, the project highlights the Gauteng government's tragic failure to deliver adequate housing."
