Checked 18 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
The homes were due in April 2024, but the work was less than half done at the audit. Buffalo City also lost R2.5 million it could not get back from a contractor whose contract was ended. The Auditor-General's February 2026 briefing says 17 months late. Its June 2026 report says 18.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Slide 15 'Housing infrastructure findings', CNIP Victims Housing Project - Cambridge West: 'significant delays of 17 months and remains only 49% complete'; 'A financial loss of R2.5 million from the terminated contractor could not be recouped'. Slide 14: 'the CNIP Victims Housing Project was to be completed in April 2024, however the project was still incomplete at the end of the audit'
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 170 (PDF page 174), table 'Findings on metro housing infrastructure projects (2024-25)': 'Cambridge West housing project | Buffalo City | 18' months delay (the same table lists Buffalo City's Mzamomhle housing project with 'No delay')
Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Section 'Housing infrastructure findings': the project 'suffered 17-month delays and remained 49% complete'; termination of the first contractor 'had led to a R2.5 million financial loss that could not be recovered'
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Princess Faku (ANC). Council run by ANC. From Mar 2023 to present.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Published 27 March 2023.
Where to look: Lead paragraph ('elected as the new Mayor of Buffalo City Metro during the Special Council meeting on Thursday evening 23 March 2023'); paragraph 2 ('takes over from Cllr Xola Pakati who resigned on Monday 20 March')
SABC News. Published 23 March 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Faku elected; Pakati 'resigned on Monday'; the ANC PEC 'recalled Pakati two weeks ago citing poor audit outcomes, wasteful expenditure and failure to collect revenue'); paragraph 3 ('62 votes against the 22 for Bentley'); paragraph 5 (EFF did not vote). Paragraph 2 is a linked video title.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 22 November 2021.
Where to look: Page 3 of 4, seat table: 'AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 61 43 18' (total, ward, PR seats); page 4: 'Total Party Seats 100 50 50'. Printed on 2021/11/22.
Daily Maverick. Published 1 October 2026.
Where to look: Buffalo City mayoral candidates section: 'The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. The ANC has offered incumbent mayor Princess Faku, former deputy minister Nocawe Mafu, Simphiwe Dzengwa and Ncedo Kumbaca as its potential candidates.'
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