Premier hands over Marikana houses

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo handed over houses in Marikana under tight security on Wednesday.

The police formed a human chain separating a group of toyi-toying peopled some dressed in red EFF T-shirts.

"Where is Zuma, Zuma, Zuma", they chanted.

"These houses are still under construction, during the course of the year when the house have been completed we will hand them over to their beneficiary," he said.

"What we are doing today is to hand over this house to Piet Stompie Tlou. The house is fully furnished, it has water and electricity. There is also grocery for him," he said to the applause of the crowd.

The disgruntled group said they had been waiting for a long time for house and would forcefully occupy them if they were not handed to them.

They claimed the house were built for mineworkers following the death of 34 Lonmin mineworkers four years ago.

The mineworkers were killed on August 16, 2012 when the police fired at them after they went on a wildcat strike demanding to be paid minimum of R12 500 per month. They camped on top of a hill refusing to descend until their pay demand was met.

Ten people including two policemen and two security guards were killed a week earlier.

"I am not a tenant material, do I look like a tenant?" asked one man from the crowd, identifying himself only as Kagiso.

"I am tired of paying rent. I have been a tenant for over 15 years, I want my own house. I cannot give you my full name, I want a house. They may jump me because I talk too much."

The Marikana Housing Project will yield 2 600 housing units on completion, 544 housing unit have been completed.

Mahumapelo handed over two houses to Piet Stompie Tlou and Dorah Diremela on behalf of President Jacob Zuma.

Source News 24