GIYANI - The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the far-northern part of Limpopo has called for an immediate commission of inquiry to look into the process of the allocation of RDP and Disaster houses in the Thulamela municipality.

UDM provincial vice-chairman, Elias Bila, said there was serious corruption within the municipality in terms of the issuing of tenders and provision of houses, which makes the project meaningless.

"The UDM and the community made several calls to the municipality and the government about the corruption in awarding the RDP and Disaster houses. It still remains a serious concern as tax payers' money is being used there. In many instances where projects were given to the communities through municipalities, the money is not used appropriately or according to business specifications," said Bila.

Bila said many of the tenders were given to relatives and friends of the councilors who want to benefit from the projects. He said many of the contractors did not have money to build the houses, which is the reason why many of the people have not yet received their houses.

He also alleged that many houses had been given to undeserving people while deserving people like pensioners are left homeless since their houses had been washed away by the floods.

"We approached the person in charge of housing at the municipality, Reuben Dzivhani, who came to the scene and promised that he would address the matter, which has never happened even up to today. Attempts by the UDM leader in the area to approach MEC Joe Mashwanganyi proved fruitless. The UDM fails to understand why the municipality is silent and reluctant to act swiftly on these serious issues," he said.

Meanwhile, the municipal manager, Mr Makonde Mathivha, said he was aware of the problem. "I thought the problem was solved. But then, I can only comment after I have investigated the case to see what the situation is now," said Mathivha.