By Anel Powell
Housing authorities on Sunday began distributing 1 000 key inserts that cannot be duplicated to residents of the N2 Gateway complex, after at least three tenants were robbed in recent weeks.
And 10 security guards have been placed on day and night shifts to strengthen security, said the housing ministry spokesperson, Monwabisi Maclean.
Residents complained earlier that the keys to their newly completed units could be used to open any of the 705 units in the complex.
A spate of break-ins had sparked fears that criminals could be using the standard keys to gain access to units.
Maclean confirmed that originally "standard" keys that opened the doors to all 705 apartments had been issued.
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"The problem of the duplicate keys was brought to (housing company) Thubelisha's attention on November 13. Thubelisha chose to purchase key inserts that should solve the problem as they cannot be duplicated."
Thubelisha Homes was appointed by the national housing department to manage the multi-billion N2 Gateway housing development.
Last week residents threatened to withhold their rent if the duplication of the keys was not sorted out and asked the Local Government and Housing MEC, Richard Dyantyi, to intervene.
Maclean said it had not been known that the locks could be opened by standard keys. He was also not aware of any break-ins at the complex.
Thubelisha Homes could not be reached for comment.
This key-duplication debacle is the latest controversy to cloud the government's flagship housing project since it was launched in 2005.
The first 705 units of phase one were completed in April this year, behind schedule.
Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said then that delays were due to "challenges in construction complexities of building such a huge project".
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