The eThekwini ANC's plan to fast-track a massive low-income integrated "Cornubia" housing development near Umhlanga bears all the marks of an electioneering trick brimming with crude populism and economic irresponsibility. 

The controversial development was first announced by the ruling party in the eThekwini Council in 2005 and has since laid dormant. Now, barely eight months before the general election, it has suddenly sprung to life. 

The development is clearly being rushed through without much consideration to proper planning and long-term sustainability.

Residential property experts have already warned that as such it would become a financial and human disaster - resulting in the value of other properties in the suburb plunging by as much as 50 percent. 

The move demonstrates the ruling party's shocking lack of respect for the property rights of the existing residential neighbours as well as the current owner of the land, Tongaat-Hulett Developments, who is being threatened with expropriation of as much as 1 200ha sugar cane fields in the area. 

What message such a move could send to investors, both local and foreign, is clear to everyone but the ruling party whose representatives naively expect the development would generate economic opportunities and employment for the thousands of new residents. 

It is hard not to see this development as another instalment in the ruling party's failed housing policy. Every election since 1994 has been fought by the ANC on the promise of more low income housing. None of the targets have been met in practice.   

The ruling party has given little thought to bringing low-cost housing to some of the established industrial areas where economic opportunities do not have to be created artificially and with questionable viability.

The ANC has instead preferred to engage in exercises of social engineering which have been widely discredited around the world, rarely benefiting those in whose name they were championed.

Dr Lionel Mtshali

Leader of the Official Opposition

Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902