By 
The waiting period for beneficiaries of housing projects in the Free State has come to an end as the Executive Council (Exco) in the province announced that some of the beneficiaries will be moving into their completed homes this month, March 2025.
It has been a long wait, for years the beneficiaries have been waiting to occupy their new home and begin a new life of dignity; however, this was met with disappointment, contractors have been changed numerous times, protests and vandalism disrupted the completion of the housing projects.
According to the Exco, a resolve was taken during its meeting to ensure the completion of the housing projects that have been going on for years; these projects include G-Hostel in Welkom, Dark and Silver City in Mangaung Metro.
“In the case of Dark and Silver City, an integrated social housing project which is 78% complete, a phased-in occupation approach will be applied to move in the qualifying beneficiaries progressively, starting this month, March 2025. The site will be adequately prepared to be conducive prior to occupation by the beneficiaries.
The same approach will be applied at the G-Hostel which is currently 55% complete. The first batch of beneficiaries will move in the completed structures this month while the remaining group will occupy their houses in November 2025,” said Exco.
“The occupation of the houses by the rightful beneficiaries will assist in preventing further vandalism of the properties. Exco emphasis that a thorough verification will be conducted to ensure that only qualifying beneficiaries will be allocated the sites. The identification of beneficiaries is done in consultation with the concerned municipalities and other relevant stakeholders,” continued Exco.
The Council has warned that it will be very strict in monitoring the process and cautioned both contractors and officials that no form of maladministration will be tolerated. Exco said contractors doing sub-standard work or abandoning incomplete projects have been sternly warned to cease from the unacceptable and costly practice. The Council also warned that officials involved in malfeasance activities with regard to allocation and occupation of houses will not be spared.
