KHALAVHA - The construction of the Rural Development Programme houses (RDP) at Khalavha Village came to a standstill, after vandalizing of properties in the village was reported on Sunday.

The contractor, Mr Tsepang Mohajane, came to Khalavha Village in June this year to build a large number of houses. He was instructed by the Department of Local Government and Housing Department to employ within the Khalavha village, but it is alleged that he employed citizens from Zimbabweans. It was also reported that Mr Mohajane said that he had employed foreigners, because villagers of Khalavha are lazy.

Mr Mohajane reported to acting headman Mr Calvin Tshivhase that he is unable to continue with the construction because residents of Khalavha Village are stealing the building material. “Heavy rain also delayed me in distributing cement and villagers denied helping him in the protection of properties,” he added.

“Instead of utilizing 46 bags cements in the foundation, RDP housing builders have utilized 12 bags of cement in many of the foundations and the houses have cracks all over,’ said angry beneficiaries of Khalavha Village. “The very same Zimbabweans that pre-pared the foundations have looted the remaining bags of cement and sold them,” said Ms Shoni Rambiyana.

All these problems happen before the eyes of the Ward 34 councilor Mr Richard Tshivhase. “I have tried my best to call the contractor Mr Mohajane, but he didn’t come to me,” said Councilor Tshivhase.

At going to press, it was not certain when the constructing of the houses will resume.