Years, if not decades, of unfulfilled commitments around low-cost housing projects and reconstruction and development programmes (RDP), amongst others, have driven frustrated communities to the streets in protest. One project that has come under renewed attention during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Bloemfontein on Thursday (26/3) was the Dark and Silver City housing development in Bochabela.

Outside the Dark and Silver City, residents demonstrated, voicing frustrations over delayed housing delivery. Placards reading “no flat, no vote” captured the growing impatience among residents who said they have waited far too long for dignified living conditions.

Originally launched more than a decade ago, the project was meant to replace old hostel structures with modern, sustainable housing units.

Instead, it became a “white elephant” of which large portions remain incomplete. Residents living nearby say they want assurance that locals will be prioritised once construction is finished, fearing outsiders may benefit from the long-delayed development.

Part of the completed Dark and Silver City housing project in Bochabela, Mangaung, Bloemfontein. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Human settlements minister Thembi Simelane acknowledged provinces such as the Free State and North-West are among the hardest hit by housing backlogs and stalled developments.

“We are also a transferring agent, meaning we also transfer grants into provinces and to the metros, and accountability is entirely our responsibility, and as the MEC has indicated, we’ve relooked not only at this project.

“Highly affected are the Free State and North West in terms of blocked projects, but we will recall that the Free State has blocked projects in almost all areas. Be incomplete social housing, be incomplete asbestos, be incomplete eradication of two rooms and a bucket sewage system.”

The Dark and Silver City project is split into two sections, the top site and the bottom site, with a combined total of over 800 units. While officials report some progress, including 230 units expected by May, funding shortages remain a major obstacle. Free State human settlements MEC Saki Mokoena indicated additional funds are needed to complete the remaining units.

Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi welcomed the limited progress and stressed that coordination between the government and residents will be key in resolving disputes over allocation and occupation.

The project, initiated during the leadership of former premier Ace Magashule, was originally budgeted at R110m. However, costs ballooned to at least R260m by 2018. Despite early assurances in 2015 that completion was imminent, nearly ten years later, the development remains unfinished.

Intended to serve low-income earners making between R1,622 and R7,500 per month, the housing was meant to offer affordable rental options. Instead, it has become a symbol of stalled service delivery, compounded by allegations of corruption, vandalism, and contractual disputes.

In North-West, reductions to the human settlements budget have delayed contractor payments and slowed progress on multiple projects.

 OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi 

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