The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu has congratulated MECs for Human Settlements for their contribution in the delivery of over 4 million housing opportunities over the years.

Speaking at the first meeting of the 6th administration with MECs for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance (MinMec) held in Kempton Park last week, Sisulu implored MECs to roll up their sleeves as the sector seeks to deliver 1 million housing opportunities over the next five years.

"While we have a lot to celebrate of what we have achieved as a country over the past 25 years, the truth is we still have more to be done. Millions of our people are still without a decent shelter over their heads. The responsibility to restore their dignity is on our shoulders and we have no excuse but to deliver on our promise," she said.

The MinMec is a regular meeting where Minister and MECs deliberate on a number issues affecting the portfolio. The ultimate objective of these meetings is to ensure that Provinces deliver on their set annual targets with the necessary support from the national department.

The Minister also said it was unacceptable that millions of people who are beneficiaries of the government’s housing programme were still without title deeds. The department has been instructed to turn this around in the shortest possible period.

Turning to water issues, Sisulu said: “We must work together towards protecting all our water resources from pollution and infrastructure from vandalism and theft. We have full confidence in the criminal justice system that the recent criminal case we opened against a company that was recorded discharging raw sewage into the Mthatha Dam will be expedited. We encourage our communities to protect this precious resource and also expose all illegal activities which threaten its existence.”

The meeting discussed priorities for the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation for 2019/2020 to 2024/2025.

These include prioritizing houses for indigent and vulnerable groups, increased delivery of serviced sites for those who are financially capable to build for themselves, eradication of the housing backlog for military veterans, the bucket eradication programme, and Critical Bulk Water Infrastructure Projects.

The meeting also discussed the recent report by the Advisory Panel on Land Reform and its implications for human settlements in ensuring the reversal of the apartheid spatial plan and increased housing delivery.

The Minister also cautioned those present at the meeting that funds disbursed to provinces and municipalities must be used in full for the intended purposes.

“We will take the money away from non-performing provinces and municipalities and give it to performing ones. We cannot return money to National Treasury. This just a friendly warning,” said Sisulu.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers of Human Settlements, Ms Pam Tshwete and Mr David Mahlobo, Provincial MECs of Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Executive Mayors as well as MMCs of Human Settlements from Metros.


Enquiries: Mr. Tuso Zibula on 072 127 1565 or Tuso.zibula@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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