The price to build government houses increased from R233,000 to R3.6 million per unit
A R1.2 billion Free State housing development programme saw the cost per completed unit reach R3.6 million against an original target of R233,000.
This was revealed in a Parliamentary question from National Assembly member Thulani Innocent Gamede.
Gamede asked Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, for details about the R1.2 billion Free State housing development programme.
“The cost per completed housing unit reached R3.6 million against an original target of R233,000,” he said.
He asked about the status and scope of the Hawks’ Bloemfontein investigation into the three implicated projects.
He also wanted to know about the disciplinary action taken against officials who continued to fund the projects despite escalating costs.
Simelane responded, saying that the Free State Department of Human Settlements has provided an account of the investigation and disciplinary processes.
The matter remains under investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein.
“The investigation seeks to establish whether criminal conduct occurred in connection with the material irregularities identified by the Auditor-General in the three projects.”
Simelane added that, as the investigation is ongoing, no final determination of criminal responsibility can be reported at this stage.
The Free State Province has confirmed that disciplinary processes relating to the identified material irregularities are underway.
These disciplinary processes are being conducted in accordance with the applicable disciplinary framework.
“These processes must establish the responsibility of the officials concerned and determine the appropriate disciplinary outcomes,” the Minister said.
The Free State Province anticipates concluding the disciplinary proceedings during the 2028 financial year.
“This is an anticipated completion period, as a specific date will depend on the progress of the proceedings,” she said.
These proceedings include witness availability, legal applications, postponements and the complexity of the matters.
“The Province has indicated that its approach is to minimise unnecessary delays and finalise the proceedings as expeditiously as possible,” she said.
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How do you start a project then lose total control of the project. It’s mind boggling. Absolutely no idea how to monitor anything they do. Just simply hand out the money. As Fikile says, it was probably climate change that increased the costs. Fortunately, Wednesday, you out..