Question NW3142 to the Minister of Human Settlements
04 September 2015 - NW3142
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Has her department launched a special investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the Masimong 4 Estate in Welkom; if not, does her department intend to launch the specified investigation; if so, (a) when was the investigation concluded, (b) what were the findings of the specified investigation, (c) what recommendations did the investigation make and (d) what actions has she taken with regard to implementing the specified recommendations?
Reply:
Yes, my Department launched an investigation into the allegations made by the residents (complainants) of Masimong 4 Estate, in Welkom.
(a) The Department received the complaint in March 2015 and concluded its preliminary investigation on 28 May 2015. The preliminary investigation (assessment) of the complaint was conducted by the Department’s Legal Advisory Services and Rental Housing Development Units. It included, amongst others, engagement with the complainants and Amohela Property Management.
(b) (i) It is important to note that the initial complaint focused on allegations of rental dispute and illegal evictions. The allegation of rental dispute was confirmed and it was found that conflicting/ different monthly rental fee structures were issued by Amohela Property Management and the Free State Department of Human Settlement.
This resulted in the complainants claiming not to know the correct and/or valid monthly rental fee structure.
(ii) The allegation of illegal eviction could not be substantiated by the complainants. However, my department discovered that the complainants were (only) threatened with evictions following their dispute with Amohela Property Management on monthly rental to be paid by the tenants/ residents, due to conflicting/ different rental structure which was presented to them.
(iii) The allegations of irregularities regarding the management of Masimong 4 Estate were referred to the department in July of 2015.
(a) The outcome of the preliminary investigation recommended that the matter be referred for forensic investigation.
(b) The matter, particularly the alleged irregularities in the management of Masimong 4 Estate, is a subject of a forensic investigation that is currently underway and conducted by the department’s Special Investigations Directorate. A detailed forensic investigation report will be submitted once the investigation is finalized.