Donated Gantsi houses in disrepair

Leinanyana Tsiane | Wednesday May 7, 2014 10:39

Last week, a snap tour by a Mmegi team uncovered widespread neglect and disrepair of the houses built by the University of Botswana and a local bank.  While some beneficiaries are taking care of the houses and yards, others have allowed the buildings to deteriorate.

Known as ‘two and a halves’ the state of the houses are shocking. In one house, the floor of the sitting room is cracked because tenants make fire directly on it during cold weather. None of the windows in the house have panes.

The shower and toilets are both blocked and there is no running water in the bathroom and kitchen.

The owners of the house say their water was disconnected for non-payment.  The beige and brown paint on the outside of the walls have dulled, the shower bathrooms, hand basins and water system toilets are grimy due to neglect.

“We are not working and we cannot afford to pay the bill,” the owner of the house told Mmegi.

A Gantsi District Council officer, who preferred anonymity as he is not authorised to officially speak to media, expressed concern about the state of the houses.

 He said the council’s role ended after the houses were handed over to beneficiaries, immediately after construction.

“After that, it is upon the beneficiaries to keep the houses in a habitable state. We have no jurisdiction to tell them what to do, let alone inspect them on a regular basis.”

The officer said that some beneficiaries have allegedly deserted their houses and are now squatting at Maipaahela.

“This is a sad situation because a lot of money was used to construct these houses which have been allowed to deteriorate.

“More houses are due to be built but we will try to sensitise the beneficiaries on the importance of taking care of where they live as this can be a health hazard too,” the officer said.