{
  "id": 6238245,
  "title": "Government probes misuse of RDP homes turned into spaza shops in Khutsong",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/government-probes-misuse-of-rdp-homes-turned-into-spaza-shops-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T04:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/government-probes-misuse-of-rdp-homes-turned-into-spaza-shops-in-khutsong/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has launched an investigation into the misuse of government-subsidized and RDP homes in Khutsong, Merafong, after discovering that some properties were being rented out to foreigners for commercial purposes. The One Merafong Organisation (OMO) welcomed the government's move to probe the issue but urged residents not to be blamed for using the homes to generate income. The Gauteng department recently called on the public to report beneficiaries who rent out houses to foreign nationals for commercial gain. Unannounced inspections conducted as part of the provincial government's ongoing service delivery outreach programme in Khutsong extensions 5 and 6 revealed abandoned, unoccupied, and converted properties. Gauteng MEC for human settlements Tasneem Motara emphasized that these houses were allocated to address the housing needs of qualifying households and must not be treated as commercial assets. She expressed concern over the inappropriate use of public resources and pledged to strengthen monitoring and verification processes, taking action against beneficiaries who violate the conditions of their housing allocation. OMO spokesperson Buti Mthembu said his organization has raised concerns about the misuse, abandonment, and improper occupation of subsidized houses, calling for decisive action to address the underlying problem. He stressed that the government must provide alternative solutions, such as job opportunities, skills development, and proper trading spaces, to prevent residents from using residential properties for income generation.",
  "summary": "Gauteng human settlements department to investigate misuse of government subsidised and RDP homes in Khutsong extensions 5 and 6.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}