The Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) says the long-delayed Marapong Community Residential Units (CRU) development in Lephalale will be completed before the end of the year, with all units built and only an Eskom electricity connection outstanding.
What the department says
Departmental spokesperson Tsakane Baloyi told The Citizen this week that all units are now complete and the department is waiting for Eskom to connect electricity. The project consists of 150 blocks with 514 units, including four blocks specifically for people living with disabilities, Baloyi said.
“a combination of systemic, operational, and external challenges”
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane told Parliament the development, which began during former president Jacob Zuma’s second term, will be completed during the 2025-26 financial year. In response to questions from EFF MP Mandisa Makesini, the minister listed reasons for the prolonged delay and acknowledged allegations of corruption involving officials and some service providers.
History of delays and oversight
Former Limpopo MEC for Human Settlements, Rodgers Basikopo Makamu — now MEC for agriculture and rural development — said more than 400 title deeds were handed over in Marapong Extension 4 during oversight visits that targeted historical backlogs and pressed contractors to finish outstanding work. Makamu told The Citizen that construction delays of over 10 years prompted closer supervision of contractor performance and project timelines.
Thembi Simelane attributed the decade-long delay to several factors, including labour unrest, the Covid-19 pandemic and adverse weather. In Parliament she expanded on operational causes, saying Coghsta had identified:
- community unrest and pressure from SMMEs seeking inclusion in civil works;
- underperformance by the principal agent, which led to termination and replacement;
- payment disputes dating back to 2016 that delayed payments to SMMEs and local labour.
Cost and provincial housing context
According to the department, the province allocated R30 million for the Marapong CRU project in the 2025-26 budget and an additional R10 million in 2026-27. The funding forms part of Limpopo’s broader housing spend of R866 million for houses in the 2026-27 financial year, the department said.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blocks | 150 |
| Units | 514 (including four blocks for people with disabilities) |
| Recent allocations | R30 million (2025-26); R10 million (2026-27) |
Allegations of corruption and community impact
Questions raised in Parliament by the EFF over slow progress referenced allegations of corruption involving officials and service providers. Thembi Simelane emphasised systemic and operational challenges when explaining the delays, but did not provide further detail about ongoing investigations in the parliamentary response cited by the department.
The lengthy delay has had practical consequences for local residents. Makamu said the handover of title deeds in one extension sought to address the backlog, while the department’s tightened oversight was intended to ensure contractors meet obligations and timelines.
Next steps for residents
With construction complete, the critical next step is electrification. Eskom’s connection will determine when households can move in and when outstanding administration — such as final handovers of title deeds and municipal service registration — can be concluded. The department has not given a specific date for the Eskom connection.
Residents and community leaders seeking updates are advised to contact the Limpopo Coghsta offices or their local ward councillors for progress reports on electricity connections and the handover process. For those involved as SMMEs or local labour contractors, the department’s statements indicate past payment disputes remain a matter of concern.
This development is part of a wider provincial housing programme: Coghsta included the Marapong allocations within its R866 million housing expenditure for 2026-27, signalling continued provincial focus on delivering houses across Limpopo despite operational setbacks.
As the province moves towards completion, the immediate priorities will be securing Eskom’s connection, finalising administrative handovers, and addressing any unresolved claims or investigations stemming from the project’s lengthy implementation period.
Reporting from Lephalale.
