Fraud

MEC Kaunda applauds sentencing of housing fraudster

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda has welcomed the sentencing of Zithulele Zondi to three years by the Durban Magistrate Court for fraud.

Zondi had asked over 180 people who lived in shacks in and around eThekwini to pay R220 to him so that the municipality can build houses for them. When the police were alerted to the scam, they acted swiftly and arrested him. During the arrest, he was found in possession of Abahlali Basemjondolo’s membership forms. Abahlali have since distanced themselves from Zondi who once acted as their branch organiser.

In welcoming the sentence, Kaunda said this will send a strong message to criminals who are taking advantage of the plight of landless people. Kaunda urged the people of KwaZulu-Natal to be vigilant of dubious organisations and people who claim to represent their interests. He said that such fraudulent practices create expectations from poor people which ultimately leads to illegal public protests.

“As the provincial government, we remain committed in assisting landless and homeless people to get proper houses and since 1994 government has been able to build over 4 million houses for the poor. While great strides have been made in this regard, we are fully aware that there is still a huge backlog. We therefore call for patience from the people of KwaZulu-Natal as government, working with municipalities is fast tracking the delivery of houses to all,” said Kaunda.

He also warned organisations and individuals who are at the centre of land invasions in the province that government will not tolerate such acts of criminality. “Government has a clear process on how people are allocated houses and we urge people to follow that process. If they need clarity they must get in touch with their councillors, municipalities and the Department of Human Settlements in the province,” said Kaunda.

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