The North West government says it is delivering improved housing in mining towns post-Marikana‚ "despite having encountered interference from the community and other concerned groups". Thirty-four miners were shot dead and some 78 other wounded by police during a strike at the Lonmin mine at Marikana in August 2012. The living conditions of mine workers came under close scrutiny during the inquiry into the massacre.In his budget speech on Wednesday‚ the North West MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements‚ Collen Maine‚ said his department remained “committed to bringing dignity to the people living in mining areas”Of the 3‚462 housing units budgeted for in 2014/2015‚ 2‚999 had been delivered‚ he said. He added that at least R482.7m had been ring-fenced and would be used for the development of mining towns.“This is despite having encountered interference from the community and other concerned groups. However‚ constant engagement with all concerned groups continues on a weekly basis.”As part of the continued development of the Marikana area‚ more than 200 hectares of well located land suitable for human settlements had been purchased‚ and it would yield at least 7‚000 mixed development housing opportunities over the next five years.“An amount of R18 million has been budgeted for‚ in the 2015/16 financial year‚ for township establishment‚ engineering services design and environmental authorisation as well as design and approval of top structures. The joining planning processes for this project will be undertaken by Housing Development Agency (HDA) and the Department‚ in this financial year‚” Maine said...