The Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi has given the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro seven (7) days to provide informal settlement dwellers with adequate human rights services like water and sanitation, in compliance with norms and standards.

The Minister told thousands of community members during an outreach programme that included the handover of newly-build government-subsidized homes and title deeds, that the three spheres of government and relevant agencies, should present tangible responses to improve living conditions of various communities by the end of January 2024.

“We must find solutions for the inhumane conditions people live under. We cannot have instances where people live in Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) with inadequate ablution facilities. We can’t sit and watch injustice happen. We must intervene urgently.” said Minister Kubayi when responding to various concerns from the more than 2000 community members who packed the Raymond Mhlaba Sports Complex for the Human Settlements Imbizo and Service Fair.

In-situ Upgrading

Noting some progress in in-situ upgrading project in the metro, the Minister acknowledged a need for more work to be done. Crucially, this includes proper verification processes as some people who demand housing in these projects may not necessarily qualify for fully subsidised government housing. Applicants were reminded that there cannot be repeat benefits, as the system automatically disqualifies anyone who owned a property before.

Rectification

The Eastern Cape province has about 53 000 houses that require rectification. “These are homes that predate democracy and also from the early days before the set Norms and Standards by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC),” explained Minister Kubayi. Due to limited financial constraints, the rectification programme will be undertaken in a phased manner.

Selling of Government-Subsidized houses

Communities were cautioned against selling their homes. The Minister emphasised that the current human settlements policy is very clear on who should benefit from subsidised housing and it does not include foreign nationals

“It takes R350 000 to build each house and you sell them for R15 000. Three months down the line you come back demanding housing from the government,” said the Minister. This was emphasised by Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, who cautioned residents from giving away their title deeds to loan sharks in exchange for quick unsecured loans.

“I urge you to take care of your title deeds we are giving you today. This is not just proof of ownership, but also an asset for your children”, said Deputy Minister Tshwete. The Minister also announced that she and the Deputy Minister will be conducting a verification programme, called Operation Ziveze, aimed at ascertaining that government-subsidised homes are occupied by their rightful owners.

The Imbizo was part of a series of outreach programmes the Minister and Deputy Minister are embarking on to unlock blockages within the Human Settlements value chain.

For Enquiries Hlengiwe Nhlabathi Mokota, Minister’s Spokesperson at 064 754 8426 or Nozipho Zulu, Head of Communications at 078 457 9376

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements Govan Mbeki House 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Pretoria, 0001