Rebuilding of damaged houses in Kanana on track

6 May 2010

The process of rebuilding houses that were damaged by hailstorm in Kanana
(Klerksdorp) during February is firmly on track. The first house is almost complete and all eleven damaged houses will be completed by the end of May.

This is consistent with the commitment made by the North West MEC for Human Settlements, Desbo Mohono, during her visit to Kanana Extention five in late February. Mohono promised that the process of constructing and rebuilding damaged houses would start during the first week of March and that affected families would return to their houses by the end of May.

In line with this undertaking, Mohono introduced the contractor to members of the community during the first week of March and the contractor started working on site. However, there were a few processes that had to be followed including testing of the soil and assessment of the durability of foundations. These had to be done because the MEC and the department put the safety of our people high on our agenda. MEC Desbo Mohono is on record as cautioning against cutting corners when it comes to the safety of our people.

It is important to appreciate that the process of constructing houses, by its very nature, takes time. However, in line with the MEC’s commitment to increase the pace of housing delivery in the province, the contractor has been working around the clock to meet the timeframes set by the MEC.

In late February, the MEC promised that affected families would return to their houses within three months (meaning by the end of May). The department is satisfied that the contractor is on schedule and that the process is still within the timeframes.

Enquiries:

Cornelius Tanana Monama
Cell: 082 578 4063

Issued by: Department of Human Settlements, North West Provincial Government
6 May 2010