Barely a year after 40 controversial tin shacks were built in Limpopo at a cost of R64,000 each to alleviate congestion at a hostel, the sombre brown structures have deteriorated so badly that their wooden floors have caved in.
At least eight of the structures in Talana, Tzaneen, have collapsed flooring that has sunken into the muddy ground during heavy rains, while five have leaky roofs, shaky floors and broken doors. The owners have now describe them as “death traps”.
The tin shack structures known as transitional residential units (TRU) were meant to accommodate hostel dwellers and flood victims to curb the spread of Covid-19. They cost R2.5m but soon after their unveiling were found to have multiple structural defects due to design deficiencies, poor construction practice, inadequate assembly and non-compliance with processes regarding certification of alternative building technologies.
Residents who were housed in the structures since last year told Sowetan they now want out, claiming the government has abandoned them while they struggled to fix the broken structures and access basic services.
One of the occupants, Celcia Monyela, 23, whose shack's wooden floor has sunk to the ground, expressed her frustrations. She said she feared for the worst every time it rained.
“The floor broke when I stepped on it because it was very shaky. The rain water gets through the door, floor and roof, and as a result I don't sleep [when it rains] trying to protect my belongings from getting wet,” said Monyela.
She said she had lost count of how many times she requested the services of a handy man to fix her rickety broken door.
“I have fixed this door so many times because it gets stuck and can't open when it's wet. Last time it rained I was locked inside the shack and I had to peep through the window to call for help,” she said.
Maria Ndlovu said she fears for her life, especially during flooding as soil erosion has left the structures unstable and only supported by bricks underneath. She said due to the leaks the wooden floor has become unstable to walk on.
“I no longer feel safe and comfortable in this shack because the floor is very shaky. The problem worsens during heavy rains as water makes the whole place wet,” she said.
Ndlovu said she wanted the government to relocate her to a decent home she was promised.
Elias Makhubele accused government of neglecting them by not providing basic services.
“I want the government to commit in writing that on this day they are going to start building and date of relocation because since they put up these shacks no senior government official ever came to give us progress [reports]," he said.
Community leader Comedown Netshifhefhe told Sowetan that most of the temporary shacks have structural defects and that locals were battling to access water and proper sanitation.
“We are not happy with entire conditions of shacks and we feel government is gambling with our lives. Every complaint comes to me and I can say we are fed up, and we need these shacks gone,” he said.
The tin shacks were launched in August last year by premier Stan Mathabatha with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that sparked public outcry.
Limpopo human settlements spokesperson Motupa Selomo said he was too busy to answer Sowetan's queries. He promised to send a response on the plan to relocate the residents and progress in the construction of their new homes by this morning.
The shacks were built by Aventino Group, a Polokwane-based company which is now facing charges of fraud, money-laundering and forgery.
Company director Happy Mohlala and her co-accused Raymond Maoto, Dikhutso Leeto, Simphiwe Nokuthemba, Jerry Makofane and Tsokollo Monareng will appear before the Polokwane commercial crimes court.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in Limpopo Mashudu Malabi-Dzangi said: “The Limpopo provincial government awarded a R15.3m tender to Aventino for the construction of 192 shacks [for residents] of Talana hostel and Burgersfort amounting to R12.3m and 52 pit toilets amounting to R3m for the Covid-19 pandemic period..
“Aventino managed to build 40 shacks in Talana and submitted two invoices totalling over R2.5m, which were paid between April and October 2020.”
The Special Investigating Unit, which investigated the matter, has recommended that the company be barred from doing business with the government.
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