The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu’s plans to ease congestion as part of the fight against the spread of COVID-19 will soon reach another milestone. Efforts to ease congestion at the Mamelodi hostels is at an advanced stage. This will see 1000 units built to reduce the number of occupants in the currently overcrowded hostels.

The plan forms part of the interventions by the Department of Human Settlements to contain the spread of COVID-19 through ensuring that communities have enough space to practice social distancing. The Mamelodi hostels is one of the biggest hostels in Gauteng Province with the population estimated at over 8 000 people. This makes it impossible for the residences to adhere to some of the COVID-19 regulations.

The project to deliver the single and family units is expected to be completed by the end of June 2020.

“The risks posed by overcrowding in our settlements are real. This requires all of us in the sector to work in unison to save lives by containing the spread of COVID-19. As we embark on these projects there will be opportunists who will seek to derail us, let us be vigilant”, said Sisulu.

Minister Sisulu added that government is committed to working with business and community members as it executes its programmes.


On Friday Minister Sisulu, together with the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoff Makhubo visited residents of Plot 323 in Wilgespruit who have been living in tents as a result of being evicted from nearby farms. The purpose of the visit was to access progress made in the construction of housing units. As of Friday, over 50 structures had already been built and ready for occupation.


Enquiries: Please contact McIntosh Polela, Ministry Spokesperson on 079 563 1625 or McIntosh.polela@dhs.gov.za

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Govan Mbeki House
240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria
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