The Department of Human Settlements notes the media reportage alleging that the governance has collapsed at entities under the Department, this reportage is devoid of truth and relies on unverified and inaccurate information.

Out of the six entities, only the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) is currently in the process of appointing a board. The rest already have board members. Again, four entities have Accounting Officers. Therefore, any insinuation that governance has collapsed at all DHS entities is gossip mongering.

Concerning the NHFC, it is not true that the CEO is currently the accounting authority. DHS received an opinion and articulation from the National Treasury on the matter. Thus, the latter’s guidance is being considered in line with Section 49 (3) of the Public Finance Management Act.

The Minister has registered her displeasure that there is currently no board at the NHFC. She has since directed that the process to appoint a new board be expedited. Already, this is at an advanced stage and is expected to be concluded by May 2025.

The Minister also takes cognisance that that this process has several inter-dependencies and may, where deemed necessary, have to go beyond the planned and scheduled deadline.

There is no crisis at DHS entities. Whatever challenges they currently experience, they are not insurmountable and are being attended to. It is for this reason that the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, released a report on the NHBRC investigation into the George Building Collapse and briefed Parliament on several matters affecting the entities. She did this purely because she believes and upholds the principles of accountability and transparency and the department remains undoubtedly committed to good governance.

Enquiries: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister on 077 410 5050 Tsekiso.machike@dhs.gov.za OR Mandulo Maphumulo, Acting Head of Communications on 082 099 7699 I Mandulo.maphumulo@dhs.gov.za

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