Question NW2230 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
15 June 2022 - NW2230
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
In light of the fact that 6 457 employees of the Public Service were still receiving outdated housing allowance as at 31 March 2022, what are the reasons that (a) this is still happening and (b) it has not yet been reviewed and/or corrected?
Reply:
a) Employees who are receiving the old housing allowance are those who have not submitted the required housing allowance documents to their respective Human Resource Sections within their respective departments. The required documents include a completed and signed application form for homeowners, proof of home ownership as well as proof that the employee occupies the property concerned. Upon submission of the necessary documents, the affected employees shall receive the current amount of R1 500.07 per month.
b) The only way for the affected employees to move from the outdated housing allowance, is to comply with the information as stipulated in (a) above. In 2015 and 2016 respectively, the DPSA issued Circulars (17/3/P) to all government departments detailing the manner in which the implementation of migration to the new housing allowance should occur.
In addition to previously issued Circulars, the Director-General will again communicate with Directors-General and Heads of Departments of the affected departments and provincial administrations regarding the importance of migrating employees to the new housing allowance system. The Circular will be issued in June 2022.
Over and above issuing Circulars, Government Employees Housing Scheme conducts information Sessions with Human Resource Practitioners in government departments to engage on issues of compliance with the prescripts of housing allowance for the benefit of government employees.
End