CARLTONVILLE residents in the West Rand were left stunned.
This after Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson uncovered what he believes could be "corruption linked to hijacked state buildings".
The minister visited a rundown former police station on Friday, 10 April, and found a building in ruins, now occupied illegally.
What was once a place meant to uphold the law has been reduced to a dump site, surrounded by overgrown grass, broken windows and unsafe conditions.
However, the real shock came when Macpherson revealed that some officials may be working with building hijackers, even at high security state properties.
"I'm deeply disturbed to hear that departmental officials may be involved in this activity, particularly here. The DDG has informed me that a report containing the suspected names of individuals in our department, who have been colluding with building hijackers, will be sent to me as a matter of urgency," he said.
Macpherson confirmed that people are illegally living in former police residential units and have now been issued eviction notices, including a notice served on Thursday, 9 April.
One of the residents, Calvin Mbalate (41), told Daily Sun he moved into the property in 2015 after it was given to him by a woman who previously stayed there as part of relocation arrangements before later receiving a house of her own.
Calvin said he now lives in a damaged structure and has been issued with an eviction notice.
He stated that he doesn't oppose moving to an RDP house.
"If I were to get an RDP it will be a blessing from God, unlike being homeless. I don't like the house I stay in now. It is damaged. Sometimes, when the wind blows, I get injured, the roof tiles fall. Because I am poor, I have no choice but to stay there," he said.
Calvin said he is unsure how he obtained the documents in his possession.
"I am still questioning how I got the papers, I really can't say. They gave me [the papers] and I filled them in."
Calvin said that Public Works officials have visited the area before and informed residents any formal allocation would be communicated properly.
He further said he now believes there is corruption within the department, something he only became aware of after the minister's comments.
"I agree with the minister that the department is corrupt, but as a resident I was not aware until the minister said it."
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Another resident, Bonginkosi Buthelezi (31), who lives with four family members, said they've been staying at the police residential block for nine years after being relocated from Khutsong in 2017 due to a sinkhole.
"They told us it was temporary, but later they wanted to move only some of us to RDP houses. We were six households and asked why we can't all go together. They promised a meeting but never came back," he said.
Bonginkosi said they refused the move because the RDPs are too small compared to their previous home in Khutsong.
"Now, we are shocked because they are coming with eviction notices. We don't have a choice. If we are forced, we will go, but those houses are small compared to our previous houses. We will have to make a plan."
Project manager at the Mmabatho Regional Office, Thomas Moeng, said the project is still delayed due to administrative changes and procurement issues.
"Currently, we are waiting for utilisation to change the project description as required by the National Digital Education Committee due to the challenges that when the project is audited, then it won't be a true reflection of what actually is going to be done here," he said.
Moeng explained that the plan involves demolishing existing structures and rebuilding new ones.
"According to the project, what we are going to do, we are going to demolish all the existing buildings. After demolishing all the existing buildings, we are constructing new buildings all together," he said.
Macpherson said the report into alleged collusion will be made public, warning that those involved will be exposed and held accountable.
