Mpumalanga province still has a big housing backlog and the lack of bulk infrastructure means houses are being built without basic services, and in some cases on top of dolomite deposits. The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements says it is concerned about the progress of human settlements and sanitation service delivery, particularly in such areas.
This was revealed last week (24 to 29 July 2011), when the Committee conducted an oversight visit to Mpumalanga province. The committee had an opportunity of interacting with the Provincial Department, MEC of Human Settlements, Mr Siphosezwe Masango and his team, the Provincial Portfolio Committee Chairperson of Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Simon Skhosana and held community meetings. The Committee undertook site visits to three district municipalities, namely; Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala.
The Committee was impressed with the commitment demonstrated by the province towards implementation and enhancement of Outcome eight as stated in the National Outcome-based Approach, for example:
In the Nkangala District Municipality, in Klarinet, an integrated development project of 960 units has been commenced. Twenty units have been set aside to accommodate people living with disabilities. This project constitutes upgrading of informal settlements, rental stock as well as addressing gap market challenges.
The implementation of Community Residential Units programme was “enthralling”.
The implementation of People’s Housing Process whereby 5 000 units has been set aside for delivery of these units and the reconfigurations of plans to involve cooperatives in the delivery of human settlements. The implementation of a Comprehensive Rural Development Programme is also commended including the agriVillage development programme in Van Wyk Vlei AgriVillage.
However, the Committee identified the following critical challenges:
- Mpumalanga province still has a huge housing backlog.
- There is a lack of bulk infrastructure that is resulting in houses being built with no basic infrastructure services in most projects.
Inadequate planning, resulting in projects that have been approved without proper geotechnical studies e.g. in Thaba Chweu land was noticed at a later stage that it was dolomitic (after project had already been approved.) Other problems cited are;
- Invisibility of the National Home Builders Registration Council and Housing Development Agency
- A lack of proper management of the beneficiary list
- A lack of dedicated policy to regulate sanitation roll-out
- Lack of monitoring of contractors, resulting in incomplete houses, non-compliance with regulations thus compromising quality.
There is also limited community consultation by the municipalities.
Some disaster affected areas were not prioritised as bridges that were washed-away were not rebuilt and school children struggled to get to schools i.e. Bushbuckridge Municipality.
There is also no policy addressing the plight of backyard dwellers in housing delivery.
The Committee further considers this visit as one of the most successful and well coordinated exercises undertaken as the Provincial Portfolio Committee of Human Settlements, the national and provincial departments and the municipalities were represented thought-out the site’s visits.
Enquiries:
Faith Kwaza (Ms)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8062
Cell: 072 122 0371
E-mail: fkwaza@parliament.gov.za
Source: Parliament of South Africa
