Cape Town - The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, MP, has announced that all provinces will prioritise provision of houses for military veterans.

Minister Sisulu was addressing a gathering of more than 200 military veterans from different formations, including uMkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association (MKVA) in the City of Cape Town Council Chambers as part of her monthly Stakeholder Outreach Programme.

Minister told delegates who packed the City of Cape Town Council Chambers that housing delivery for military veterans is one of the key Government priorities. She stressed that more than 5000 registered and verified military veterans in the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) database must have houses by end of this financial year, 2015/2016.

"Military veterans played a central role in pushing the apartheid Government to start negotiating with the ANC. We owe our freedom to you, it is my mission to ensure that in this financial year all Military Veterans have houses, decent houses fit for the sacrifices you have made for us as a nation", said Sisulu.

The Minister added that the National Department of Human Settlements will report back in 14 days on how military veterans’ backlog will be eradicated by 2016 with military veterans participating actively in the building process.

"Some of you still have energy from the camps; we must convert that energy into construction skills for you to work with us in building your own houses. I want you to become construction developers of the future and get involved in all mega projects”, said Sisulu.