The City of Johannesburg purchased one-roomed tin shacks without any facilities for R14,000 each. Laphinda Security and Cleaning Service, owned by Khamanyamana Adam Baloyi were the suppliers.
These shacks, planned as temporary housing for victims of a fire in the Usindiso Building in Marshalltown, have been criticised for their poor quality and unbearable living conditions.
Each shack, measuring only 3.5 square metres with a chipboard door and a single window has no proper insulation or foundation and they don’t have ceilings, allowing rainwater to pour through the roofs.
The fire victims have resorted to raising the shacks onto brick foundations at their own expense because of the flooding issues and poor construction.
Baloyi received R4.2-million to build around 300 shacks. The cost and the quality have been questioned.
Comparisons made by Sowetan with local builders and hardware stores show that the materials and labour for such shacks should cost much less — no more than about R4,000 to R5,000.
The community members living in these shacks have suffered problems such as lack of safety, poor insulation, and not enough space.
The city has responded by increasing police patrols in the area but has not yet addressed concerns regarding the finances and construction of this project.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: Shantytown shacks.
Image source: File
