Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, has urged the North West Provincial Department of Human Settlements to continue ensuring that projects are concluded on time, and within budget including the Tshing extension 9 and 10 housing project she visited at the JB Marks Local Municipality.
“We promised people that we will finish the houses on time, and we should keep that promise, the province must ensure that the contractors meet their deadlines and those that faulter must be held accountable”, said Minister Simelane. 
Minister Simelane was speaking during her two-day oversight visit to the province as part of government's ongoing commitment to accelerate housing delivery, strengthen oversight, and engage directly with communities on human settlements programmes.

During the visit, Minister Simelane, together with the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Gaoage Molapisi, and Mayors handed over houses at a project expected to yield 2500 units by October 2026 in Ventersdorp and title deeds, as part of the Title Deeds Fridays Campaign at Maquassi Hills Local Municipality.

The Minister also seized the opportunity to implore the province to continue working hard to unblock stalled housing project and meet its target in the registration and issuing of title deeds. 
According to the report presented to the Minister, some of the projects have been blocked because of dolomitic surface and bulk services whilst title deeds restoration programme has been affected by the several challenges, including untraceable beneficiaries, incomplete township establishment processes, deceased beneficiaries and illegal occupation of houses.

The transfer of title deeds remains central to restoring dignity, security and economic inclusion.During the 2026/2027 financial year, the Province aims to transfer 2450 title deeds to the rightful beneficiaries.

In addressing the challenges of blocked projects, the North West Department of Human Settlements is in the process allocating funds torevive the blocked projects. 
While Minister Simelane expressed comfort in the steps taken by the province to unblock projects, she cautioned against disintegrated planning within the spheres of government and underscored the importance of contract management to ensure contractors adhere to their contractual obligations.

Government remains committed to directing resources towards programmes that have greatest social impact.
MEC Molapisi has pronounced and committed that the resources allocated to the province through Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) and Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG) will be dedicated towards accelerating housing delivery and improving living conditions of those in need across the province.

Enquiries: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister on 077 410 5050 Tsekiso.machike@dhs.gov.za   

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