Middelburg – Close to 30 councillors stand to benefit in the conflicted sale of stands expected to take place on Thursday, 25 July, at the civic centre.
The Steve Tshwete municipality announced it is going ahead with the process of selling of stands after allegations of a municipal official demanding a R2000 bribe from an applicant.
However this does not go down well with residents who feel that the process should be stopped.
A fuming resident, who could not be named, told Highveld Chronicle they feel betrayed by councilors. “No wonder their [councillors] silence on this issue. They know that they are going to benefit,” he said. “This means they are part of the corruption. They claim to be representing the community but themselves. They have sold the community to the highest bidder.”
Another resident, who also remained anonymous, expressed, “how can they allow such a process to continue and claim to be representing the community. ANC, EFF, DA and MHRF they are all the same.”
The municipality in April advertised a total 712 stands in Dennesig North, Extention 18, Aerorand, Rockdale and Hendrina Extension 3.
Briefing the media yesterday, Prudence Magutle said councillors and municipal employees will participate in the first round of sales.
Magutle said that 100 stands will be sold to councillors and municipal employees with priority given to first-time buyers.
She added that 505 applications were received for 50 stands reingfenced for municipal employees and 28 applications were also received for 50 stands set aside for councillors.
“Stands, within the 505 applications, will be given to the first 50 employees that have paid, and priority will be given to long-serving employees,” she said. “The remaining 22 stands, in the 50 stands reserved for councillors, will be sold to people with disabilities.”
Magutle further stated that the process will be subjected to a further verification. “A deeds search will be conducted after a manual verification that is already done,” she said.
Only 7400 application forms were returned from the 14500 issued to the community.
On 29 July, 196 stands will be sold to first-time buyers at 50% discount. “The 50% discount applies to applicants earning less than R600 000 per annum, and not owning property. They qualify for stands ranging from 300 to 499 square meters,” Magutle explained.
A third round of sales will be conducted on 30 July where first-time buyers earning above R600 000 per annum will participate. “Stands will be sold to this category without a discount,” she said. “The remaining stands will then be sold to previous and current property owners.”
The town’s first citizen Mhlonishwa Masilela is among the councilors who stand to benefit. “I have applied because I am also a first-time buyer,” Masilela told the media.
