Presidency sets record straight on Phalatse family house claims

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The Presidency has rejected media reports alleging that President Jacob Zuma had planned to hand over a house allocated to a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) beneficiary, Velaphi Nkosi, to the Phalatse family to fulfil his promise to the late Ontlametse Phalatse.

Miss Phalatse had, before her passing in April this year, paid a courtesy call on the President on the eve of her 18th birthday in March, where the President made a promise to fulfil her wishes for a family house.

The Presidency on Tuesday said the process is underway to build Ontlametse's mother a house at the family plot in Hebron, north of Pretoria.

“The house plan has been lodged with the Madibeng Local Municipality for approval. Once it has been approved, which is expected in the next few weeks, the building of the house will commence,” said the Presidency.

The Presidency said it had received information a few months ago that a certain house in Mamelodi was being taken away from the rightful beneficiary to be given to the Phalatse family.

“The Presidency intervened and stopped the handover ceremony and directed that the said house be given to the rightful beneficiary. This information was given to City Press but the newspaper decided to omit it and published a one-sided, incorrect story.”

It said President Zuma remains committed to fulfilling his undertaking to help the Phalatse family obtain a home to fulfil his undertaking to the late Ontlametse. - SAnews.gov.za