Remarks by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, on the occasion of the launch of the TRC housing assistance reparations, Sonkombo Sport Field, Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Programme Director
President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa
Premier of the Province of KZN, Mr Thami Ntuli
Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel
Deputy Minister of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Sihle Zikalala
Executive Mayor, iLembe District Municipality, Cllr Thobani Shandu
Local Mayor, Ndwedwe District, Cllr Samuel Mfeka
Inkosi Sifiso Ngcobo
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning
I am here today filled with both sadness and an overwhelming sense of pride.
I am saddened by the fact that innocent people in our country had endure unnecessary pain and suffering because oppression and racial segregation had poisoned everything.
I am at the same time a very proud South African to be part of the very important project of rebuilding our country.
We are here today because the strength and resilience of the human spirit triumphed over evil.
We are today because as South Africans, we attained the right to self-determination, and we decided that the hatred of yesterday in going to determine how we live together tomorrow in our country.
By establishing the truth and reconciliation commission we communicated the message to the world that as South Africans we have freely chosen to reconcile and live together in peace in a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, black and white.
Living together in peace meant that we need to work to together to find ways bringing justice, dignity and reparations to the victims of apartheid.
In June 2003, Parliament approved the granting of reparations to TRC identified victims in respect of:
final reparation in the form of a once-off grant of R30 000,00;
medical benefits and other forms of social assistance;
symbols and monuments; and
rehabilitation of communities for purposes of contributing to healing the wounds of the past and restoring human dignity.
We have made significant progress in dealing with each aspect of the recommendations of the parliament approved TRC report.
The rollout of the once-off R30 000 repatriation grant and related benefits has been concluded for all the received applications, and the remaining cases will only arise if there are victims that have not applied that still wish to apply.
We have supported 11783 learners at basic education level for total of just over R 134 Million.
The total number of students funded at higher education level is 1896 for just over R 129 million.
TRC victims and their relatives and dependents are entitled to access to health services in all public health establishments for free.
The Gallows Exhumation Project which was aimed at locating and recovering the graves of all those political prisoners who were executed on the Gallows and whose bodies remained the property of the state has been concluded.
We have also reopened several major apartheid-era inquests.
Acting on the recommendations of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, our government authorised the reopening of the inquests into the deaths of anti-apartheid activists Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli, Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge, the Cradock Four, Booi Mantyi, Nicholas Boiki Tlhapi and Steve Biko, exercising the powers granted under Section 17A of the Inquests Act.
The statutory committee of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Committee on Reparation and Rehabilitation of Victims recommended various forms of assistance in circumstances where communities suffered gross violations of human rights which resulted in the mass destruction of property and forceful removals from homes which caused displacement.
For restoration of dignity and property, recommendations included housing assistance.
The Housing Assistance Regulations were published in the Government Gazette on 16 January 2026, following approval by the President.
The regulations provide for housing assistance, per incident, per household, of approved listed beneficiaries in the form of a once-off housing grant limited to an amount of R183 257.00 per approved listed beneficiary.
Alternatively, the regulations specify that the beneficiaries can opt for a construction of a new house limited to an amount determined, from time to time, by the Minister of Human Settlements as per Military Veterans quantum.
Either of these forms of housing assistance are available only to TRC declared victims who had a housing related incident or who were assessed by the TRC and recommended for housing assistance.
Currently, the Department has received 941 applications for housing assistance.
As at 18 March 2026, the total number of beneficiaries positively verified is 220 and all those positively verified have opted for the once-off housing grant.
The cost for the reparations is covered by the President’s Fund as established in terms of section 42 of the TRC Act.
The total amount ringfenced for Housing Regulations is R650 million.
The approved listed beneficiaries that will be receiving the money are direct TRC identified victims.
The amount that will be paid to the 476 approved listed beneficiaries in Ndwedwe, once all applications have been verified, is R87 230 332.00.
To date the President’s Fund has paid out R20 891 298.00 to 114 approved listed beneficiaries in Ndwedwe.
As at 18 March 2026, the total number of approved listed beneficiaries positively verified in Ndwedwe is 220.
The estimated total amount to be paid to 220 positively verified Ndwedwe beneficiaries to date is R40 316 540.00.
The housing assistance regulations require that each would-be beneficiary completes an application form for housing assistance and submits the application to the Department (TRC Unit) for verification of whether the applicant is a listed beneficiary who qualifies for the housing assistance applied for.
Where the applicant is verified as qualifying for the assistance applied for, the application form will be submitted by the TRC Unit to the President’s Fund Administrator for processing of payment, which involves a number of steps and days.
Collectively this work reflects our government’s unwavering commitment to advancing TRC-related processes, deepening historical accountability and honouring the memories of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
I thank you
#GovZAUpdates
