Front page of the Daily Sun: Official Must Eat His Words!

LENNOX Mabaso, a senior KZN housing department official, said last week that all the developments started in the province so far had been completed.

There were NO examples where projects had been started and then abandoned by developers, he said.

BUT HE’S WRONG…HE’S TALKING RUBBISH!

That’s the accusation from Fred Wagner, the chairman of a community forum in Pietermaritzburg.

He told the People’s Paper that the housing department was supposed to build 714 RDP houses at Madiba Park, Ward 14 in Eastwood, Pietermaritzburg.

“The department issued 714 subsidies to residents of the area. But developers only managed to build about 500 houses. They then built the foundations for more than 200 houses before vanishing – and that was in December 2005.

“Mabaso says no project was abandoned. What is then?” asked Wagner, pointing to half-finished foundations.

He challenged Mabaso – and his boss Mike Mabuyakulu, the MEC – to visit the area and see for themselves.

He further said: “The concrete slabs that have been abandoned have now become playgrounds for the kids. They play soccer there. The developers also built a very narrow road. It is only 2m wide when it was supposed to be 4 m…for that they were paid R2 million!” he said angrily.

This is the SECOND challenge to Mabaso. Last week he was challenged to spend give days in informal settlements by the Abahlali baseMjondolo movement.

He accepted the challenge – but has not yet given a date when he will move into a squatter settlement.

* About his latest challenge Mabaso said he needed time to do his own research before he could comment.