​Thembisa Shologu
An independent investigation into the South Hills Mixed Housing Development's workmanship will soon be appointed. 
This was announced on Sunday during a visit by Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Lebogang Maile and Johannesburg Mayor Jolidee Matongo. 
The two visited the area following a protest march by residents who complained about the quality of houses and inadequate access to basic services, such as water and electricity.
Maile said while inspecting the affected houses it was evident that there were challenges of plumbing at face value, but that proper assessment was needed. and 
 "We cannot make our determination because it doesn't help to be hasty or cut corners. We must find an everlasting solution.
"It is for that reason that I and the Mayor Jolidee Matongo have agreed that we will ask the city to appoint independent people to make an audit and not just rely on the developer," said Maile.
Once the independent audit is complete, the department would make the report public.
MEC Maile said the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and the quality assurance unit from the province conducted their cross-checks before allocations but there still were problems. 
Mayor Matongo said the auditors will help us determine if indeed the concerns raised by owners and where the faults point to the developers, they will certainly be held accountable.
"However, if the issue is on the City's side on the provision of water and electricity, we will also certainly account and correct as a matter of urgency the ongoing concerns of the residents."
In addition, MEC Maile has unreservedly apologised to the community for the inconvenience that this caused and that the provincial government and the municipality would try very hard to explore interventions. 
The South Hills development, located in the south of Johannesburg, and a joint venture between Calgro M3, Standard Bank and the City of Johannesburg, consists of over 5 800 residential opportunities.
The development comprises a mix of fully-subsided homes, subsidised rental units, bonded units to the open market and free-standing houses. South Hills is situated along with a transport node, offering residents easy access to transport, job opportunities, and local amenities, including shops and hospitals.