Question NW1264 to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
04 August 2021 - NW1264
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether she will furnish Ms E L Powell with the details of the (a) total costs incurred in the establishment and operations of the National Human Settlements Command Centre (HSCC) and (b) remedial action she has taken in relation to the findings of the Auditor-General’s First Special Report on Government’s Financial Management of the COVID-19 crisis with specific reference to the failings of the HSCC; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Honourable Member, the Housing Development Agency (HDA) hosted the National Human Settlements Command Centre (HSCC). I am informed that there were no costs incurred in the establishment and operations of the HSCC.
Following the findings published in the Auditor-General’s First Special Report on Government’s Financial Management of the COVID-19 crisis, I convened MinMEC on 23 September 2020 to discuss findings in respect of the Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) built in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was necessary because housing is a concurrent function between three spheres of government and the National Department of Human Settlements is responsible for policymaking. The meeting was attended by members of the HSCC, Provinces, HDA and Municipalities. At the said meeting and as part of remedial measures, Accounting Officers of these entities were instructed to;
- Take the necessary steps immediately to ensure that the current TRU projects comply with minimum norms & standards.
- Revisit current contracts to ensure value-for-money is derived.
- Institute Accountability and Consequence management measures - “act or be acted upon”.
- Consult with the NHBRC on specifications for TRU bids and implementation monitoring.
Further, the Honourable Member will be aware that the matter is also under investigation by the SIU.