Question NW1398 to the Minister of Human Settlements
23 May 2022 - NW1398
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
With reference to the weak structures which were highlighted by the recent floods on Kwazulu-Natal, what measures have been put in place to ensure that people are not made to live in weak, dangerous structures called homes?
Reply:
The Department of Human Settlements ensures quality control by insisting that all housing projects be enrolled with the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) which is a regulatory body of home building industry that was established in 1998 in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, 1998 (Act No. 95 of 1998). Its mandate is to protect the interests of housing consumers and to ensure that builders comply with the prescribed building industry standards. This enrolment protects housing consumers from any unscrupulous home builders who deliver substandard houses, shoddy workmanship and poor quality products.
It should also be noted that floods in the Province not only affected Breaking New Ground homes but also other forms of homes and houses including high-income residential units and general infrastructure as a consequence of prolonged high rainfall.