Phikwe residents hail new SHHA loans

The move has been widely hailed because it will go a long way in easing the accommodation shortage and phasing out squatter settlements.

However, the Selebi-Phikwe Town Council is still worried because it is still owed P2.4 million in service levy and building material loans that have been outstanding for a long time.

The Council is planning to engage debt collectors because it is feared that in the light of the latest development, and given the people's attitude whenever they owe government, the debt might increase as the loan amount increases.

Town clerk Kutlwano Matenge said the debt has been outstanding for too long and it is a cause for concern because most beneficiaries are not adhering to the agreed terms. He said they are trying to conduct house-to-house campaigns to sensitise beneficiaries on the importance of repaying the loans. He added that since they embarked on the exercise people are paying 'little by little'. 'We have to enforce the law to make people pay and perhaps we shall have to engage debt collectors to recover the money.'