Senzo Mchunu Donates 40 Houses to Kgubetswana Township Families

At the handover event, Minister Mchunu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to community upliftment.

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, in collaboration with the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), has donated 40 houses to families in the Kgubetswana Township, Clarens, Free State. The houses, originally built for out-of-town staff working on the Ash River Outfall during the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 1 (LHWP-1), are now being given to their long-term occupants.

The TCTA had initially leased the houses to the residents, intending to sell them at a discounted price. However, due to affordability issues, selling the houses proved difficult, as many occupants were elderly or unemployed. After consultations, it was decided to donate the houses to these original occupants.

At the handover event, Minister Mchunu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to community upliftment. "The donation of these houses demonstrates our commitment to better the lives of citizens, wherever we can. Through the TCTA, we will continue to develop initiatives that bring dignity and progress to our communities," he stated.

The houses, valued between R65,000 and R85,000 in 2006, are now worth between R380,000 and R640,000. The total value of the donated properties, including one given to an NGO for persons with disabilities, is R16,720,000, with property sizes ranging from 208m² to 302m². The process of property transfer is being finalized, with new owners expected to receive their title deeds within the next six weeks.

Percy Sechemane, TCTA Chief Executive, noted that this transfer will significantly boost property values in the area. Sonwabo Morgan Ngubane, a local community leader and beneficiary, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to own their homes, marking the day as historic.

Prior to the handover, Minister Mchunu engaged with Free State municipal representatives on water and sanitation services, urging them to overcome challenges in service provision. The TCTA assured that the upcoming Lesotho Highlands Tunnel closure for maintenance will not disrupt water provision in the Free State and Gauteng provinces.

The TCTA, a state-owned entity under the Department of Water and Sanitation, is responsible for financing and implementing bulk raw water infrastructure in South Africa, including the LHWP. Established by a 1986 treaty between Lesotho and South Africa, the project aims to provide water to South Africa’s Gauteng region and generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho. Phase I was completed in 2003, with Phase II expected to be completed by 2028, delivering a capacity of 14 cubic meters per second to the Vaal River System.