Jika Joe Community Residential Unit (CRU) Project Pietermaritzburg

Show Voice Options Location: Near N3, Ward 33, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Project Type: Community Rental Housing for low-income households Developer: Motheo Construction Group Client: Msunduzi Municipality Funding: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements and uMgungundlovu District Municipality Total Budget: R445 million Phase 1A Budget: R164 million Total Units Planned: 760 Phase 1A Units Built: 404 two-bedroom units Target Tenants: Households earning R800 to R3,500 per month Key Dates: October 2020: Construction of Phase 1A begins July 3, 2023: First tenants move in (2 families) October 13, 2023: 106 families have moved in January 25–27, 2024: Issues reported about misuse of units and affordability complaints March 31, 2025: Fire in informal area displaces over 70 families Challenges: Some tenants illegally subletting units Allegations that municipal officials are occupying flats Utility costs reportedly unaffordable for many residents Residents in informal section still vulnerable to fire and disasters Picture source: Project photos are published by Witness, Daily News, and GroundUp news websites under coverage of the project and events.