Question NW887 to the Minister of Human Settlements
24 March 2025 - NW887
Abader, Ms ZS to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether her department is responsible for taking steps against (a) rising crime, (b) drug use and (c) reported cases of exploitation within retirement villages; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps will her department take to (i) improve security, (ii) regulate unauthorised tenants and (iii) enforce strict management oversight to safeguard the wellbeing and dignity of senior citizens?
Reply:
While increasing criminal activities are an area of concern, the Department is not responsible for addressing any criminal activities, including drug use within the human settlements, including retirement villages. All criminal activities should be reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS) together with relevant law enforcement agencies and for aspects relating to retirement villages can be addressed through the Department of Social Development mainly to deal with matters of exploitative practices. As part of intergovernmental relation and cooperative governance, the Department plays a supportive role to the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster to respond to criminal activities across different settlements.
With reference to the elderly, the Department has introduced the addition of burglar bars as part of the 2023/24 subsidy quantum revision and by extension to the houses of the elderly on case-by-case basis on the discretional determination of the MEC.
It is important to note that the management oversight on all rental housing is through the sectional titles, and such is regulated by the necessary legislation managed under the custodianship of one of the entities of the Department, Community Schemes Ombuds Service (CSOS). Any aspects of non-compliance should be reported to the CSOS.