Minister of Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu, is dis-satisfied following reports over the recent handing over of Temporary Housing Units (TRU) in Limpopo.

Sisulu is of the view that the Premier of Limpopo Mr Stanley Mathabatha should not have been invited to hand over the TRUs without the provincial team first ensuring that these were of acceptable quality. Quality checks must be done during and after projects are undertaken to ensure that they meet acceptable standards in line with the Housing Code. As such, the Minister is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the review of the Talana Project to determine whether it was compliant with the building industry standards. The review is being done by the National Home Builders Registration Council, an agency of the Department that oversees quality assurance of all human settlements projects. This report is expected to be presented to the Minister within 14 days.

“Once the review is done, I will brief the Cabinet on the outcome, as well as inform the people of South Africa as our main beneficiaries who we are here to serve. I do not wish to be associated with unbecoming conduct or have my name mentioned alongside suspicions of corruption,” said Sisulu.

The Department has confirmed that the programme in Limpopo is part of a long-standing Human Settlements programme of Informal Settlements Upgrade, that was accelerated as part of efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.

For more information please contact the Department of Human Settlements Spokesperson, McIntosh Polela on 079 563 1625