Habitat homebuyers petition US for relief

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Thursday April 22, 2010 00:00

The South African based Habitat offices referred their petition back to the Botswana office.

The outstanding balance on the loan is P1.8 million. They say in their petition that they had enrolled in the housing scheme on the understanding that the programme was intended for the poorest of the poor, which they are, because they do not have a regular income.

Special advisor to Tswapong South Habitat beneficiaries, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, confirmed that their petition is already in the USA and the office there has confirmed receipt. 'We are currently awaiting feedback from them. In the meantime we are using all approaches including the Minister of Lands and Housing when the need arises'.

The Habitat Botswana office, through its director, Kabelo Seadimo, said they are taking action against defaulters who have no valid reason despite evidence that they are working and getting a regular income.  He said that is a small number as the majority of homeowners are paying well. He said arrears for affected beneficiaries differ from one individual to another ranging from three to seven months default. About the residents' appeal to the international institution to write off the loans Seadimo stressed that there is no institution that can just write off loans of people who have the capacity to pay.

Speaking in Parliament, Minister Nonofo Molefhi said that Habitat's role in Botswana is to partner with the poor and low-income families to provide simple, decent and affordable accommodation. He indicated that the need should be evident and beneficiaries must be willing to do what they can to help themselves and to improve their housing situation.

He said Habitat does not threaten the interests of Batswana. His ministry has not received any complaints.  Dr Gobotswang argued during an interview that although some poor individuals have been enrolled into the programme it is misleading to say that the programme is for the poor. 'Practically speaking it is misleading to state that the programme targets families. The people who are beneficiaries are those who have signed contracts with Habitat and Habitat has no contract with families. If it was the case the head of the household would have signed the contract on behalf of the family'.

He noted that in November last year when Habitat locked houses of defaulters he reported the matter to the minister seeking his intervention on behalf of the victims. 'At the time the minister promised to obtain contract documents from Habitat to study them and take appropriate action.

His response to a parliamentary question tabled by Dumelang Saleshando is a clear demonstration that the minister has failed to access the contract documents hence the response is full of factual mistakes'.

He however said he was encouraged by the fact that Molefhi has promised to act if provided with evidence that Habitat has been unfair to homeowners.