The residents ambushed Sexwale with their concerns at the project’s official launch, which was also attended by the provincial Economic Development MEC Mcebisi Jonas, government officials and the contractors.

One of those unhappy with conditions at the project was Andre Bosman, who said the project was plagued by a number of problems, including poor infrastructure, leaking toilets and broken passage lights.

He said poor security at the project had resulted in a number of incidents of theft, public drinking and vandalism.

“We are glad that the minister is here so we can communicate with him about the problems plaguing this residence since it opened. We pay a lot of money and yet we have to put up with poor service,” said Bosman, who has been living in the projects for a year.

Sexwale urged the residents to be patient with the developers, citing snagging problems as the reason for most of the complaints.

“In construction, we have something called snagging. These are problems that arise during and after the completion of construction projects that must be attended to after the company in charge of building and maintenance has identified the problems. So we ask you to be patient because these problems will be addressed,” said Sexwale.

He congratulated Buffalo City Metro Municipality for its efforts to accelerate social housing projects, which has seen the metro score the highest when it comes to the construction and provision of social housing.

Sexwale said the nine-storey building, which caters for households earning between R2 500 and R7 500 per month, pushed boundaries in terms of design and structural engineering.