The Herald Online: "WHAT was once a thriving and bustling Karoo farming town is on the verge of total collapse because service delivery has ground to a halt.
Tarkastad is believed to currently have an unemployment rate of about 98 per cent, with many of these residents in desperate need of housing.
Despite this, there are more than 500 incomplete RDP houses in township areas that have been standing empty since 2003 after the Tsolwana municipality failed to wrap up a housing project for just over 1000 units.
Some of the homes have been demolished and the building materials from them used by impoverished residents to complete other unfinished houses.
Others are being illegally used to run small businesses like spaza shops and taverns.
Several housing project beneficiaries complained that municipal officials had even charged them R400 before they could occupy their allocated houses.
“One woman asked me if I could lend her R400 in order for her to get her house,” said local councillor Bob Sparrow. “She was desperate.”
Hundreds of young pupils also have to go to school every day without having any access to water.
Some are forced to carry water to school in plastic bags and other containers to have a drop to drink during the day.
The schools are also not being maintained properly, with some classrooms having broken windows and missing panels.
“The children almost freeze to death during the winter,” said long-time resident Eddison Buswana, 84.
A few of the very poor parents have been forced through attorneys to pay school fees even though they do not have a decent income.
One parent, Rubin Godfrey, receives a small government pension and cares for his children and grandchildren with the money.
Godfrey received a summons from an attorney in Queenstown to pay R20 for outstanding school"
Corrupt and un skilled officials and inexperienced contractors rape our country!!