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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS AND GALLERY - Bitou Municipality has launched an investigation into the controversial emergency housing material worth almost R4-million that has been "stored" near the Plettenberg Bay Airport for several years.
During the previous political term, the municipality indicated that the material, which was procured for those who had suffered losses during infernos between May and July 2018, was put in storage following complications with the erection of the structures.
The Western Cape legislature's standing committee on human settlements also indicated that it would investigate why the building material was "dumped" at the airport as it was meant to be used to build temporary homes for 71 families in Bossiesgif, PineTrees, Harkerville, Kwanokhuthula and Kurland after fires gutted about 60 homes in the area almost four years ago.
PHOTO GALLERY: Forgotten Emergency Housing Material
Following the fires the Bitou Municipality submitted an application for financial assistance to the national Department of Human Settlements and in November that year received a letter confirming the approval of R3 988 200 for the establishment of fire-proof emergency housing structures.
The Bitou emergency housing material that has been a point of contention for several years.
Officials at the time said that for various reasons the housing could not be erected and a decision was made to store the material across from the airport.
Current Bitou Mayor Dave Swart said that there had, for some years, been concerns about the procurement and other costs incurred in this saga. He said that since then only 44 of the 59 units have been erected and the total cost to date had risen to R10,2-million.
"The Bitou Municipality was even paying rental for three containers of 'parts' for these housing units that were placed at the waste transfer station by the contractor," Swart said.
"On cutting the locks and opening these containers on 12 April 2022, the containers were found to be empty and have since been removed."
During a council meeting last month, council approved the forming of an investigation team to establish the facts and sequence of events, to determine whether prima facie evidence of instances of fraud, corruption and/or maladministration exists and to draft findings and recommendations as part of a detailed report.
The offices of the MEC Local Government and Department of Human Settlements have agreed to provide staff members to assist with the investigation.
The investigation is expected to start this month.
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