eThekwini Municipality clarifies delays in the Donnelly Road housing allocation process

The eThekwini Municipality has noted with concern allegations circulating about delays and manipulation in the allocation of units at the Donnelly Road Housing Project.

The municipality wishes to set the record straight and reassures the public that the process is being handled with the utmost transparency and fairness, adhering strictly to policy.

The Donnelly Road Housing Project, comprising 76 newly-built flat units, was declared ‘practically complete’ in June 2024. However, following this milestone, technical challenges were identified.

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In July 2024, inspectors from the eThekwini Water Directorate found that the installation of water meters was not compliant with approved standards.

This required corrective works that were not provided for in the original project budget. Chairperson of the Human Settlements, Engineering and eThekwini Transport Authority committee, Cllr Themba Mvubu, said these additional works inevitably caused delays.

“The technical issues have since been resolved.In addition to the technical delays, the allocation process also encountered social challenges. The original beneficiary list consisted of 64 households, drawn from those who previously resided on the site. During final verification and engagement processes, some individuals became dissatisfied, arguing that they had already been verified in earlier phases. Unfortunately, certain engagements turned hostile, making it difficult for officials to conclude the process smoothly,” said Cllr Mvubu.

He explained that while the municipality understands the frustrations of the community, verifications are a critical safeguard to ensure fairness and compliance with housing policy.

“We cannot finalise allocations without confirming that all beneficiaries still meet the qualifying requirements. The Donnelly Road Housing Project is a rental housing initiative. Rental amounts have been set at R850 per month for a one-bedroom unit and R1, 800 per month for a two-bedroom unit. In line with national and municipal housing policy, all potential beneficiaries are subjected to an affordability test to ensure they can sustainably pay rent. The municipality also applies a right-sizing policy, which matches household income and family size to the appropriate unit type,” Cllr Mvubu added.

The responsibility of the municipality is not just to hand over units, but to ensure that beneficiaries can live there sustainably.

Allocations must comply with National Credit Regulations, and it must avoid placing households in a position where they cannot afford to stay. With 76 units now available, the allocation process will prioritise the original list of 64 households.

The balance will be sourced from the greater eThekwini housing needs register, ensuring fairness and transparency. The eThekwini Municipality rejects in the strongest terms any allegations of manipulation. Every allocation follows a strict, transparent policy framework designed to protect the integrity of the city’s housing programme.

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The municipality is working tirelessly to conclude the allocation process within the shortest possible timeframe. The municipality understands the anxieties of the affected households, but the city urges them to co-operate with officials. This will enable the municipality to finalise allocations speedily and fairly, ensuring that this important housing project benefits those who qualify.

The Donnelly Road Housing Project represents an important step towards addressing housing needs in eThekwini. While delays have been experienced due to both technical and social factors, the municipality is committed to ensuring that allocations are concluded in a fair, transparent, and lawful manner.