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The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements (WCDoHS) has appointed a new contractor for the completion of 423 housing opportunities in the Vlakkeland housing project in Paarl. 

The appointment follows contracted delays in supply chain management processes dating back to late 2020 when the previous contractor ceased operations due to insolvency. The new contractor is tasked with completing the 206 incomplete housing units and the construction of 217 new houses. 

Construction of this flagship Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) of the WCDoHS began in November 2013 and has delivered 511 housing opportunities and 531 serviced sites thus far. Serviced sites are plots of land with access to basic services, such as water and electricity connections, provided to approved beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries for this project will be selected from the greater Drakenstein Municipality Housing Demand Data Base. Upon completion, the project is envisaged to create 995 housing opportunities and will consist include various housing opportunities for different income groups such as, Breaking New Ground (BNG) units, rental and ownership affordable housing units, commercial and light industrial land uses, as well as a full spectrum of social facilities to cater to the community’s needs.  

Minister Simmers said: “ Following the misfortune and protracted delays in concluding and appointing a suitable contractor, I am delighted that the project will soon be back on track and we can commence with the delivery of human settlements for the community of Drakenstein. The resumption of  construction will also enable and unlock economic opportunities for local Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) and job seekers”.

The date of the  site hand over to the new contractor is envisaged for the near future. 

“The proposed development is located on the urban edge, meaning that it is linked along the main public transport routes and close to all amenities. I look forward to returning to the site and hand over houses to deserving beneficiaries, who waited patiently during this challenging period” concluded Simmers. 

Issued by Western Cape Human Settlements