Merlewood rdp housing still no electricity since 2019

Life has been harder than expected for Merlewood residents who moved in to RDP homes at the Merlewood Mixed Income Housing development in August last year.

Some say it has been something of a nightmare, with numerous houses ‘falling apart’ and the municipality allegedly refusing to help.

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According to a number of residents, the shoddy workmanship and construction of the houses is to blame.

Merllisa Robertson said residents had been forced to move in early as the houses were being vandalised.

“Doors and windows were being removed and as a safety precaution we were told to occupy the houses,” she said.

Other concerns raised included the lack of electricity, street lights and storm water drainage.

Heavy rain flooded some homes, with retaining walls collapsing, leaving people to walk in muddy conditions.

One woman, who asked not to be named, felt conditions constituted a health hazard. “We have to dig trenches to divert the water,” she said.

Theo Goldstone said that while residents were grateful for a roof over their, they were shocked that they had been given homes with such poor workmanship.