---
title: "R11bn unfinished Montrose Mega City Development housing ghost town"
description: "As Gauteng battles a worsening housing crisis, incomplete housing units near Randfontein in the West Rand remain vandalised and unoccupied. Daily Maverick photographer Felix Dlangamandla went to the ghost town on 7 May 2025."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PHOTO ESSAY"
author: "Felix Dlangamandla"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-09-felix-ghost-town/"
published: "2025-05-09T14:20:53"
updated: "2025-07-22T12:41:57"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 550
---

# R11bn unfinished Montrose Mega City Development housing ghost town

> As Gauteng battles a worsening housing crisis, incomplete housing units near Randfontein in the West Rand remain vandalised and unoccupied. Daily Maverick photographer Felix Dlangamandla went to the ghost town on 7 May 2025.

By Felix Dlangamandla · Published 9 May 2025, 16:20 SAST · Updated 22 July 2025, 14:41 SAST

## Key points
- In a tragicomic twist of urban planning, the Montrose Mega City Development in Randfontein stands as a monument to dreams deferred, with collapsed staircases and abandoned bathtubs competing for the title of the West Rand's most poignant eyesore.
- Montrose Mega City Development in Randfontein lies in ruins, showcasing severe neglect and vandalism.
- Collapsed staircases and damaged infrastructure highlight the dire state of the abandoned flats.
- Vandalised amenities, including toilets and bathtubs, paint a grim picture of urban decay.
- The project, once promising, now stands as a testament to failed development and wasted resources.

## Content

The Montrose Mega City Development, which was once touted as a [large-scale solution](https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/09/19/ncop-members-describe-unfinished-multi-billion-rand-montrose-project-as-a-crime-scene) to the province’s housing backlog, has been inactive since January 2024.

According to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS), the project was halted following the termination of its contract with [SCM Developments](https://scmgroup.co.za/#:~:text=SCM%20Holdings%20Group%20is%20a,construction%20and%20property%20development%20industry.), the appointed turnkey developer. The department cited “financial difficulties leading to its liquidity”. The government planned to build 5,600 housing units during the project’s first phase.

**Read more:**[Johannesburg Social Housing Company battles to reduce staggering waiting list](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-27-johannesburg-social-housing-company-battles-to-reduce-waiting-list/)

When Daily Maverick asked about the total amount spent on both phases of the development to date, GDHS spokesperson Terry-Ann van Eck, speaking on behalf of MEC Tasneem Motara, declined to provide figures, although [reports](https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/09/19/ncop-members-describe-unfinished-multi-billion-rand-montrose-project-as-a-crime-scene) suggest R11-billion was spent.

“As the development was in its first phase at the time of termination, detailed financial information on expenditure cannot be disclosed without a formal application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).”

**Read more:**[Joburg’s heart of darkness](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/joburg-inner-city-housing-heart-of-darkness/)

In response to further queries from Daily Maverick about whether there are any plans to repair or complete the housing units, the department said: “The Department is actively engaged in negotiations with the landowner to purchase the land outright. This acquisition will enable the Department to take over and continue the development. Upon successful acquisition, a procurement process will be initiated to appoint a new developer to resume and complete the project as originally intended.”

It added that it had received “guidance from the Provincial Treasury on securing the site. A professional security company has now been appointed on the property to prevent further illegal activities, including vandalism and unauthorised access,” said Van Eck.

![Collapsed staircases. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/6UZaMTOHBd8NM3EFbRLAOR3Ix2U=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8545.jpg)

*Collapsed staircases, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![A bath tub lying outside a block of flats. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Zpy44L5JW9Yg14lNyNwtVZb_P9Q=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8517.jpg)

*A bathtub lying outside a block of flats, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![A toilette seat and vandalised walls. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/cqPXidQN7wwSzjGsKrsgOMPwpQs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8501.jpg)

*A toilet seat and vandalised walls, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Damaged sewer pipes. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/O4Ys5TacYMfpcMhyvaKFOy1oORE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8508.jpg)

*Damaged sewer pipes, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Collapsed staircases. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/h0CR-feSHOXt3CoZXhzE5MU9OUw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8523.jpg)

*Collapsed staircases, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/TRqPykM9aAk9jyjSrhdLG872BXg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8541.jpg)

*Abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Abadoned stormwater pipes at the second phase of the project. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/mRQ5fUdF7mzZJPDd3Ca36EV5sBA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8602.jpg)

*Abandoned stormwater pipes at the second phase of the project, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Vandalised block of flats. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LYQU5IP-EafEYGqyXVpigpabIDo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8604.jpg)

*Vandalised block of flats, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/eNGrGOI3x2SjEAYq2PtJlMvk-uc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8606.jpg)

*Abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand, 7 May 2025 (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![A road at the back of the flats. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Ue4MZHWL3QWLppF4FLzqJyfMziQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8613.jpg)

*A road at the back of the flats, Montrose Mega City Development, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Phase two of the abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/cdikWmdJSnC_uLgxffNM-1PnArg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8616.jpg)

*An onlooker stands in front of Phase two of the abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Building plans lying on the ground of the Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GTQ7WJxfc--Vqul3FctzX7peL9I=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20V8477.jpg)

*Building plans lying on the ground of the Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![A tractor drives near the Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/5Vi3ZJIu06FfgQIXpu6XV9i9Dsg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_4253.jpg)

*A tractor drives near the Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Construction sign of Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/53oTxjaCD4PCkbb7KAKiMuLfqek=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-07-11-31-09-434.jpg)

*Construction sign of Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/3cGyxQa732C6Sfe_2GKJBdkF9Ag=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-07-11-04-55-566-1.jpg)

*Abandoned Montrose Mega City Development in Middelvlei, Randfontein, on the West Rand, 7 May 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla).DM*