Brendan Village, once a shining example of the gold mining era near Evander, has fallen into neglect and disrepair. Historically, Brendan was a thriving settlement where mine workers lived harmoniously away from the hustle and bustle of nearby towns. It was maintained in good condition, with affluent mine managers residing in spacious, mansion-like houses. However, the current state of the village tells a starkly different story.
Today, Brendan is dilapidated and neglected. The area suffers from a lack of basic services, including a permanent water supply and electricity. The main kitchen building, once a vital community facility, was destroyed in a fire, and since then, the municipality has allowed the area to deteriorate significantly.
In August 2021, Govan Mbeki Municipality’s Executive Mayor revealed that Brendan Village was bought through the Department of Human Settlements with funds approaching R100 million. The initiative was aimed at addressing the housing backlog by providing low-cost housing solutions. However, the housing units acquired in Govan Mbeki have been left abandoned and neglected, with no effective measures taken to allocate or maintain them.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga has called on the MEC of CoGHSTA, Speedy Mashilo, to intervene and compel the municipality to rehabilitate these abandoned housing units and turn them into habitable, low-cost homes. It has been alleged that acts of corruption and abuse of power by municipal officials and public representatives played a role in the failure to allocate these houses properly, with some officials allegedly helping themselves to the units.
James Masango, DA MPL and Mpumalanga Spokesperson on CoGHSTA, stated, “During an oversight visit, we confirmed that the municipality has numerous flats that have been neglected and are now in a state of disrepair. These flats have been vandalised beyond recognition and are currently used by homeless individuals.”
A year ago, unknown individuals reportedly wrongfully invaded these housing units. At that time, the municipality’s Executive Mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, admitted that the municipality lacked the capacity to manage the rental and proper allocation of these housing units. The situation is compounded by the municipality’s chronic issues with low revenue collection and a significant housing backlog, which should make the upkeep of existing housing a top priority.
Residents have been waiting for proper housing for decades, yet the government’s failure to utilise and maintain these housing units only worsens the housing crisis. The DA emphasises that the Department of Human Settlements and local authorities must prioritise fixing these neglected houses and allocating them to deserving residents.
James Masango added, “We call on MEC Mashilo to demonstrate leadership by addressing the housing issues faced by residents. The government cannot remain idle while housing units are left to rot. These neglected properties symbolise a failure to serve the community’s needs.”
The DA insists on urgent intervention by the municipality and the department, urging stakeholders to engage actively to restore confidence in service delivery and ensure that these housing units are properly managed, maintained, and occupied by residents in need. The ongoing neglect undermines efforts to alleviate the housing backlog and improve living conditions for the community.