The Portfolio Committee would like to express its appreciation for the work done by the Department of Human Settlements when presenting its second quarter performance report for the 2013/14 financial year.
While welcoming improvements on how the department performed, the committee said the department needed to ensure the following:
- The National Upgrade Support Programme (NUSP) needs to be improved speedily
- Banks must be encouraged to come on board in the implementation of the Finance Link Subsidy Programme (FLISP)
- Extension of the Urban Settlements Development Grant to accredited District Municipalities, as they are no longer receiving the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG)
The committee also expressed its appreciation of the sterling job done by the Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), of continuing to provide housing finance to the people. Furthermore, the Housing Development Agency (HDA) has already exceeded its targets of acquiring suitable land for Human Settlements development purposes. This is commendable.
Meanwhile, the committee was encouraged by the report of the Bojanala District Municipality on the presidential special projects of making sure that communities living in mining towns were provided with suitable housing and proper basic-services including sanitation.
The committee said this report was critical in order for the committee to ensure complete implementation of President Jacob Zuma’s pronouncement on the need to provide quality housing for people residing and working in mining towns. The chairperson of the committee stated that it was their duty and obligation to ensure that commitments made by the Executive are carried out in their totality for the benefit of the people.
The committee’s gratitude was informed by the following progress:
- The six projects that currently up and running in Rustenburg (Meriting Ext 4 & 5, Monnakato, Boitekong Ext 16, Bokamoso, Lonmin in Marikana, and Seraleng 800)
- The three projects underway in Madibeng (Sunway integrated development, Madibeng Mamba, and Lethabong)
- In Moses Kotane, three projects have started in: (Saulspoort Phase 1 and 2, Mmatau 200, and Moses kotane 1200)
The committee also welcomed the intervention by Lonmin Mining Company where 50 ha of land have been donated and deed of donation has been signed between the department and Lonmin Management.
The due diligence on the portions of land by the Housing Development Agency (HDA)was also pleasing. These portions include the land that has been donated including those found in Mooinooi in Madibeng Local Municipality. The committee welcomes this report and shows appreciation that there has been a significant improvement in these projects. The committee further stated that there is a need to conduct an oversight visit on these projects
Turning to interventions in Lenasia, the committee expressed appreciation of the progress made in the implementation of the intervention framework which was agreed upon by the Special Lenasia Intervention Team (SPLIT) to address the Lenasia Land invasion incident.
A project framework that was developed was meant to address the implementation of the various solutions identified to deal with the land invasion. This framework encompassed broad proposals coming from the South African Human Rights Commission and Lenasia South Extension 3 and 13, Ennerdale and Lawley Concerned Association. The framework proposed that:
- All affected people must come forward and present themselves and their details so that Department of Local Government and Housing (DLGH) can assist them based on their individual circumstances.
- The SPLIT will conduct a joint auditing of all the properties identified and owned by the department in order to get full details about the status of each stand
- The department will identify different categories of properties, for example; size, location et cetera in order to determine what type of construction can be recommended for each stand.
- Identify fully developed properties and occupancy thereof and also record the occupants details (their financial status, dependents, female headed households, old age or disabled, as well as waiting list of beneficiaries)
The committee acknowledged the work that has been done by the law enforcement agencies in Lenasia by ensuring that those involved in legal activities stood trial with others successfully convicted and sentenced.
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