Question NW3767 to the Minister of Human Settlements
04 December 2015 - NW3767
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
With reference to her reply to question 1579 on 18 May 2015, (a) how many RDP houses have been structurally rectified by the National Home Builders Registration Council as a result of poor workmanship in (i) Gauteng, (ii) Limpopo, (iii) North West, (iv) Eastern Cape, (v) Western Cape and (vi) Northern Cape and (b) what is the total cost of these rectifications in each specified province as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
I wish to re-iterate that the Department of Human Settlements is no longer undertaking any new rectification projects using funds which form part of budget vote of the Department. The management of the process to remedy structural defects is now the mandate and responsibility of the NHBRC. The NHBRC has been empowered with required legislation and processes to ensure that remedial measures are effected in conjunction with the contractors who built the houses and where necessary, contractors may be sued where contractual terms were not satisfied.
All rectification proposed to be funded by our budget is being phased out while taking cognisance of the contractual obligations in respect of approved projects. The primary focus of our funding remains the provision of new housing opportunities consistent with the Medium Term Strategic Framework.
I have been informed by the NHBRC that it has itself not incurred expenditure on structurally rectifying subsidy houses. The NHBRC has conducted assessments and the findings on poor workmanship have had consequences for the responsible contractors.