ATC130813: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements on the oversight visit to the North West province, dated 24 October 2012
Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements on
the oversight visit to the North West province, dated 24 October 2012
The
Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements (the Committee), having conducted an
oversight visit to the North West from 17 to 22 June 2012
in relation to the policy and legislative
compliance and the implementation of the human settlements strategic plans,
projects and programmes
, reports as
follows:
1.
Background
In
terms of the RSA Constitution of 1996 and Parliamentary Rules, the
Committee
has an obligation to
conduct oversight over any executive organ of State that falls within its
portfolio. In line with this mandate, the Strategic Plan of the Committee
undertakes to conduct provincial visits to oversee the implementation of
project plans and programmes. The Committee also undertakes to evaluate
progress made and identify any challenges encountered in the implementation
processes. Furthermore, the Committee seeks to promote and enhance co-operative
governance and intergovernmental principles in the delivery of sustainable
human settlements. In order to fulfil its strategic plan objectives the
Committee conducted an oversight visit to the North West province from 17 to 22
June 2013. .
1.1 Objectives of the visit
The
objectives of the oversight visit were to receive a briefing from the MEC and
the provincial department responsible for human settlements on the
following:
·
Implementation
of a comprehensive integrated
human
settlements strategy in the province;
·
Performance
in meeting service delivery targets set for 2011/12 and challenges encountered
and ascertain whether there has been value for money;
·
Plans,
programmes and progress in the implementation of rural sanitation;
·
Plans,
programmes and service delivery targets for 2012/13;
·
Progress report in support of the
disaster affected communities;
·
Blocked projects and plans to
unblock them;
·
Status on audit of poorly
constructed houses and cost implications for
rectification of such houses;
·
The number of informal settlements,
the plan and the progress in upgrading such settlements, including community
residential units (CRUs);
·
Progress in the implementation of
the Farm Worker Assistance Programme;
·
The co-ordination and management of
the beneficiary list and incorporation of backyard dwellers to the provincial
housing data base;
·
Use of alternative technologies in
construction of houses;
·
The North West Housing Corporation
closure;
·
The
role played by the private sector in service delivery.
2.
Delegation
The multiparty delegation consisted of Ms BN
Dambuza (ANC), Chairperson of the Committee and leader of the delegation; Ms JE
Sosibo (ANC); Ms D Dlakude (ANC); Ms G Borman (ANC); Ms N Mnisi (ANC); Mr JM
Matshoba (ANC);
Ms P Duncan (DA); Mr S
Mokgalapa (DA) ) and Mr KP Sithole (IFP).
2.1
Officials from the national Department of Human Settlements
The delegation was accompanied by Mr L
Jolobe, Chief Director: Transformation; Ms M Pine, Office Manager:
Transformation; Mr S Solomon, Deputy Director: Parliamentary Service and Stakeholder
Liaison: Office of the Director-General; Ms N Yako, Assistant Director: Cabinet
Cluster and Parliamentary Liaison: Office of the Director-General; Mr N Cele,
Deputy Director: Project Implementation Support; Mr A Matshego, Deputy
Director: Sector Information Management; Mr M Lelosa, Director; Mr R Kolokoto,
Deputy Director; Mr T Madonsela; and Mr S Habib, Deputy Director.
2.2
Members of Provincial Legislature and officials as well as officials from the
provincial Department of Human Settlements
The delegation was accompanied by the
Chairperson of the Standing Committee, Mr H Mahlakeng; Ms TB Motshegare, Member
of the Provincial Legislature, and Ms C Rens, Administrator: Standing
Committee.
It was also accompanied by Mr T Mokhatla,
Head of Department: Human Settlements; Mr N Mgengo, Chief Director: Human
Settlements; Mr A Manuel, Manager: Strategic Planning and Ms E Mhlanga,
Protocol Officer.
3. Summary of the purpose of
the visit
Ms
BN Dambuza, leader of delegation briefly explained the purpose of the oversight
visit.
She informed the meeting that the
delegation was executing its constitutional mandate as guided by the Rules of
Parliament and other legislative reforms to promote cooperative governance, and
intra and inter-governmental relations.
The visit was underpinned by the need to establish what legislative
provisions served as obstacles to service delivery.
Moreover, it sought to evaluate the progress
made with regard to the attainment of Outcome 8 and whether, the delivery
agreements with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional
Affairs and the Department of Water Affairs were implemented for the purpose of
Outcome 8.
3.1
Executive summary of the oversight visit
The delegation visited the North West
province from the 17 to 22June 2012. The visit covered all four-district
municipalities namely: Dr Kenneth Kaunda; Dr Ruth Mompati; Dr Modiri Molema and
Bojanala.
The delegation met with MEC
for Human Settlements and Public Safety, Mr NPD Maloyi. At the time of the oversight
visit the province was experiencing service delivery protest.
Some of the protests were due to incomplete
and
sinking houses due to lack of or
poorly conducted geotechnical studies.
Tranche payments were made by the province to various municipalities for
building of houses; however municipalities also made tranche payments to
contractors who served as implementing agents. Many of the contractors failed
to build houses or disappeared subsequently upon receiving the tranche
payments, which gave rise to blocked projects. The province reported that
tranche payments were no longer being made.
Conditional grant was used for rebuilding the old houses instead of
building new houses (new old houses) and that impacted on targets being not
met.
The province undertook to have a
clean audit by 2014, following the qualified audit for past financial
years.
There were areas that were still
using the bucket system (informal settlements) and in other areas using Ventilated
Pit Latrine (VIP) toilets.
An amount of
R57 million was allocated during 2012/13 financial year to cater for proper
sanitation. The said amount was not used by the time of the visit (second
quarter).
A service provider was appointed for the
winding down process of the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) and was
working closely with the office of the Public Protector.
The process was challenged by the absence of
asset register for the corporation.
The
province was considering appointing a
Commission of Enquiry to further investigate the past performance of the
corporation.
An amount of R11 million
has been spent on the winding up process and the costs were expected to
escalate.
4.
Presentation by the provincial department at
Hotel School in Mafikeng
4.1
Welcoming remarks by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC)
The delegation was welcomed by the MEC for
Human Settlements and Public Liaison, Mr PDN Maloyi.
The MEC assured the delegation that even
though there were delivery protests spread all over the province the delegation
was safe and secured.
He also informed
the delegation that he was only seven weeks in his new deployment.
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on
Human Settlements was also seven days in the office.
He informed the delegation that the
department was faced with various challenges of service delivery protests.
The department undertook to have a clean
audit by 2014.
Most of the municipalities were still not
providing relevant documents for audit purposes, thus resulted to qualified
audit report for three consecutive financial years.
In Potchefstroom and Swartruggens, houses
were sinking due to dolomite. That was due to failure of municipalities to
conduct proper geotechnical studies.
Incomplete houses in most areas of the province were due to the failure
of contractors, contactors disappearing with money and inferior
workmanship.
Some of the contractors
contracts were terminated and appointed credible contractors.
Some houses were allocated in 2002, but still
not completed.
The conditional grant was
used for the rebuilding of old houses instead of building new houses.
The MEC informed the delegation that the
challenges of service delivery required a concerted collaborative effort from
all stakeholders.
The
MEC informed the delegation that the North West Housing Corporation was a great
challenge that was delaying the delivery in the province.
He further informed the delegation that the
decision was taken to wind-down the corporation, but not all the necessary
steps were taken into account.
The
Corporation was formed through the Provincial Act, which was not repealed and
no documents were available.
Properties
that were bought by individual persons were never transferred to the owners and
there were no title deeds issued.
The
report received indicated that one house was sold to more than three people by
unregistered estate agents.
It was
alleged that an individual bought the whole township for R2 million of which
proper documents were not found.
The
North West Housing Corporation had appointed unregistered and scrupulous
company to sell houses for it and the money never reached the Corporation.
In some instances an individual purchased two
townships with one cheque.
4.2 Presentation by the Head
of Department, Mr T Mokhatla
Mr
Mokhatla informed the delegation that the department was in a process of
developing sustainable Human Settlements but was relying on the cooperation of
the municipalities to release land.
The
municipalities were also expected to deliver bulk serves; however, they would
prioritise other issues not related to human settlements.
He suggested that provincial departments
should be mandated to electrify completed state subsidy houses and claim later
from Eskom.
The request was because
beneficiaries were not able to occupy their houses as electricity was not yet
installed and that led to vandalism of the units and or illegal
occupations.
The
province had planned to deliver 13 853 units for 2011/12 and the total delivery
by March 2012 was at 16 333 with a variance of 2 480.
During the 2010/11 financial year the
department had under-spent by
(12%)
of its total Conditional Grant allocation. Subsequently a
roll-over of
R148, 810 million
was requested.
An amount of
R100 million
of
the initial voted allocation was also transferred to Merafong Local
Municipality due to cross bounder issues and this resulted in the grant being
reduced.
The housing
disaster relief grant for rural intervention was R15 840 million, only 15% of
the grant was spent.
An
Expenditure Recovery Committee was established for 2011/12 financial year to
monitor the conditional grant expenditure on weekly basis.
After the department had noticed that it
might not spend a turnaround master plan was developed to ensure the attainment
of delivery targets and spending of the allocated budget.
Based on the turnaround master plan the
department achieved 100% of expenditure of conditional grant and rolled over
funds.
Mr
Mokhatla reported that in a MinMec meeting that was held the national
Department of Human Settlements adopted a Macro Coordinated and Alignment
Framework which seeks to foster cooperation and joint planning.
The purpose of the framework was to promote
and enhance the coordination of the sector departments and alignment of
services such as bulk service provision, social amenities and other community
across sectors.
The
provincial department had enhanced its intergovernmental relations with
delivery partners that were municipalities, contractors or developers.
It had also signed implementation protocol
with Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) and the National Housing
Finance Corporation (NHFC) for rental stock.
The development of provincial plans with a particular focus
on the conditional grant business plan was
based on a number of key aspects like the consideration of municipal Integrated
Development Plans (IDPs) and the provincial Housing Chapters; integration of
existing information initiatives and sustainable human settlements
development
and asset creation.
The 2012/13 Departmental Conditional Grant
Business Plan, Project List and Cash Flow projections were developed in full
consultation with municipalities.
The
provincial department had planned to deliver 10 932 houses and rectify 1 285
units in 2012/13 financial year.
The
units include all the district municipalities.
The
provincial department had conceptualised a North West Informal Settlement
Upgrading Programme in 2007, with a view to eradicate informal settlements and
establish a baseline of informal settlements in the province.
The province had 140 informal settlements
with 76 000 temporary structures.
An
Atlas informing the informal settlements upgrading was completed.
An amount of R230 million was set aside to
develop those areas (informal settlements).
The
province reported that it was not doing well on the rental stock; however, it
has signed an implementation protocol with SHRA.
The affordable rental Housing Programme was
one of the initiatives towards the eradication of housing backlog, providing
rental housing opportunities for low income persons who cannot be accommodated
in the formal private rental market.
The
department had a target of 20 000 units per annum over a four year period
(contribution towards Outcome 8) and the two rental housing programmes have been
introduced in the form of Community Residential Units and Social Housing.
There were 100 community residential units
that were under construction in the City of Tlokwe Local Municipality.
Those units were scheduled for completion by
July 2012.
The
provincial department reported that state owned entities and state departments
were known to own several pieces of land that were closer to urban centres and
were underutilised.
An implementation
protocol was signed with delivery partner Housing Development Agency (HDA) and
259.67 hectares of land were purchased in Ventersdorp for R14 million.
An amount of R25 million was set aside to
purchase more land parcels.
Three
municipalities were assessed for level 1 accreditation by the Compliance and
Capacity Assessment Panel.
However, the
national Department of Human Settlements targeted to accredit one municipality,
Rustenburg.
With regard to the
implementation of Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP), the
department reported that 124 beneficiaries have been approved and an amount of
R23 461 million has been set aside for the programme.
Implementation protocol has been signed with
the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC).
The
role of private sector partnership was crucial as it was enabling the
provincial department to implement various housing programmes for various
categories of beneficiaries. The provincial department has engaged the mining
sector in the Province, i.e. Impala and Anglo mines through FLISP and over than
1 300 employees have benefited on the programme.
Further engagements were being held with
other mining houses such as HERNIC in Brits with the view to address challenges
of De-Kroon informal settlement as part of informal settlement upgrading
programme.
Working relationship with
National Housing Finance Corporation had been established for the
implementation of the FLISP programme and an amount of R24 million has been
committed to the programme for 2012/13.
Impala committed to deliver 2 500 units
and such a benefit would be extended to other qualifying beneficiaries such as
public servants, etc.
Farm
Worker Assistant programme has been implemented through the Department of Rural
Development and Land Reform and an amount of R159 million has been
committed.
A portion of land has been
acquired in the Ventersdorp area to provide suitable human settlements to some
of the beneficiaries who come from the neighbouring farm area. The Peoples
Housing Process Programme was implemented in two projects Lethabong with 96 and
Ditsobotla with 710 units.
The people
were beginning to establish housing cooperative and stockvels in an endeavour
to create their own schemes.
Jobs were
created during the implementation of the programme as well as the skills were
transferred.
The
provincial department reported that there was no disaster fund allocated during
the previous financial year.
The
provincial department was using the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG)
to address the issues of disasters. In Mooinooi, Madibeng municipality
feasibility studies were conducted for 500 units that were affected by
disasters.
In 2006, a contractor was
appointed to build 1000 housing units for families who were victims of a
natural disaster in Taung. It was reported that the contractor only built one
(1) house and disappeared after receiving a tranche payment of R87 million. In
Greater Taung Local municipality, contractors were appointed to build 263 units
during 2010/11 financial year.
The
Special Investigations Unit (SIU) allegedly refused to furnish the provincial
department with a progress report, because the Department is also subjected to
the ongoing investigation.
The
provincial department reported that it received its Disaster Relief Funds very
late in the 2011/12 financial year and could not spend their allocation, but
have subsequently applied to have the funds rolled over for the 2012/13
financial year.
The
number of blocked projects was not provided instead a number of reasons that
contributed to projects being blocked were cited. The province reported that
tranche payments were made to various municipalities for the building of
houses, however, municipalities also made tranche payments to contractors who
served as implementing agents. Many of the contractors disappeared subsequent upon
receiving the tranche payments, which gave rise to blocked projects, irregular
and unauthorized payments. The province however confirmed that the tranche
payments practise has been stopped by the current MEC.
In Kothlong municipality tranche payment was
made to a contractor and a project was approved and later discovered that the
land was not owned by the municipality and the project became blocked.
The provincial department undertook to
investigate extensively all the municipalities that failed to account for the
money that was transferred to them.
It
also acknowledged that the process would be costly; nevertheless, it was hoping
to get good results.
It was also stated that the rectification
programme was the competency of the national department.
The provincial department reported that
conventional housing delivery method was used in most of the projects in the
province.
However, there were
approximately 176 beneficiaries identified, who benefit from the use of
innovative technology system.
The
contractor was already appointed and occupied site.
It was reported that the establishment of the
Housing Needs Register was underway.
The
system would be linked to the national department database and will in future
inter-phase with the Department of Home Affairs.
It would be allocated at municipalities with
the server at the provincial department.
The
provincial department stated that sanitation was a new mandate that was
implemented by national department.
The
bucket system
had been eradicated in
most areas of the province.
Nonetheless,
the system was still being used in the informal settlements of Klerksdorp and
the community of Popo Molefe Informal Settlement (in Madibeng Municipality) was
compelled to use open defecation or share temporary toilets that were
allocated.
However, those temporary
toilets were not emptied constantly.
An
undertaking was made by the national department to supply the Committee with a
detailed report on the Rural Housing Infrastructure Programme. The delegation
was disappointment to learn that the national department had assigned R57
million for 2012/13 financial year for the provision of sanitation in North
West province, but failed to utilise such funds in the first quarter of the
financial year. The national department was requested to provide a detailed
report to the Committee on the state of sanitation in the province, including
the expenditure plans of the R57 million allocated to address sanitation
challenges in the province.
The
provincial department had committed itself to provide Jojo tanks in all new
generation houses for water harvesting that can also be use for irrigation
purposes (food security gardens).
4.3 Winding down of North
West Housing Corporation (NWHC) - by Adv Mogale
Adv
Mogale indicated that the process of winding down the North West Housing
Corporation was initiated in 2009. The process was to be overseen by the
provincial Department of Human Settlements. No due diligence report was
conducted. The service provider was appointed and terms of reference were
signed, and the service provider assumed its duties on the 15
th
November 2010.
The
service provider was expected to mainly compile an asset register, prepare
financial statements and audits, close the corporation legally and financially
manage the revenue of the institution. The service provider was expected to
wind down the process within a period of a year. Adv Mogale indicated that,
because there was no due diligence conducted, it was even more difficult
because terms of reference that were set, were not enabling the service
provider to achieve its mandate, and because the challenges were immense.
The
service provider was a joint venture comprising of three categories: the
financial, the legal and the technical sections. The technical sections
responsibility was to look for properties of the institution. They have used
all means including conducting the desktop research, interacting with
municipalities and communities. There were no records in the institution; the
Department of Public Works was contacted to establish if they could have any
records. Unfortunately, the information that was available was neither reliable
nor authentic.
It
was further indicated that the Board of Directors was dormant and the
department has a duty to resuscitate the board, as it was the only accounting
authority that could assist at the time. The employees who were with the
corporation were transferred to different departments because the institution
had financial problems. By the time of the visit, the technical section had
collated 33 000 properties classified as old and new stocks and or vacant land.
Old stocks were zero related houses and were built during the Bophuthatswana
era.
Adv
Mogale indicated that Cabinet took a resolution that the old stock houses should
be handed over beneficiaries rather than selling to them. It was also found
that other areas that were in the then Bophuthatswana, some beneficiaries had
deed of grants. However, the deeds given to beneficiaries were not given as
full title deed. Beneficiaries were given a perpetual possession as condition
in the title deed.
The executive
committee and provincial department agreed that those deeds must be given a
full status.
The
financial sections responsibility was to organise financial statements and
oversee the audit process. This was done due to the finding that there were no
authentic documents. As a result this posed a biggest challenge. It was also
observed that there were no assets registers.
The
third section was the legal section. The Department of Human Settlements did
not know that there was an influx of litigation matters against the
corporation. A repeal bill was drafted and taken to the state law advisory,
but, unfortunately it could not be tabled before the legislature because it lacks
full record of assets and liabilities as per requirement. It was then put aside
for a while and concentrated on cases that were coming forth. The cases were
similar and had high amounts of money that creditors were claiming against the
corporation. The legal section came up with a strategy of how the cases could
be dealt with, and one of the cases were a three storey building that an
individual claimed that he had bought on auction. On the eve of the case being
heard, the legal representative that the department had, told the department
that they do not have a case. But, when the team looked in to the issue, it was
discovered that the department had a strong case.
The
case was continued and it was ruled in favour of the department. An amount of
R22 million was saved from this outcome. That case was taken as a test for
the department and could be used as a reference in other cases. The challenge
was that the management did not adhere to regulatory frameworks; there was
non-compliance of procedures and of awarding tenders.
The
greatest challenge was that, the beneficiaries that were disgruntled because
the problem has been persisting for many years. In other instances one property
was sold to more than five people. The other challenge was that, all the people
paid money to the corporation but the money could not be traced. All those
people had complied with the requirements but they could not get tittles deeds
or security tenure. There was also a challenge of bogus agents going around
telling people that they were acting on behalf of the corporation.
An
investigating team has been established with the South African Police Service
(SAPS) and the Commercial Crimes Unit.
A
case had been opened against those bogus agents. One of them was arrested and
the case was still sub judice.
There was
no township register. The other challenge was that houses have been allocated
to certain individuals and some of them had passed on. Adv Mogale indicated
that in such cases, houses were to be transferred to families and they were
required to execute the Administration of the Estate.
The
service provider went to the municipalities concerned and assisted with
establishment of township register. Another challenge was that other townships
fall under the jurisdiction of other provinces, while the stock in those
provinces was registered under the provincial department. Gauteng came forth
and assisted with the occupancy survey and that was really adding value to the
service provider. When the service provider came on board, a moratorium was
placed; stating that, none of the asset transfers to be effected until further
notice, this resulted in a new challenge.
In
the compilation of assets registry, approximately 63 000 properties were
uncovered and had already been transferred. It was discovered that other
properties were fraudulently transferred and there were no records to trace all
those. There were law firms that had money in their trust accounts but the
money could not be transferred to the corporation nor effecting transfers to
beneficiaries. The provincial department had decided that the former board
members should not be charged with fiduciary duties so that they could also
assist in resolving those challenges.
Adv
Mogale indicated that they were at a stage where they were not sure if the
corporation was solvent or insolvent, because there was, no baseline and the
assets could not be located. The office of the Public Protector was also
assisting due to the influx of queries.
4.4
Deliberations by delegation
The delegation appreciated
the sincerity and transparency by the MEC on the issues of service delivery
challenges and further welcomed the extensive presentation by the HOD.
The delegation enquired about the strategy to
recover funds that were paid to contractors, as tranche payments.
The delegation established whether there was
a relationship between the provincial department and the National Home Builders
Registration Council (NHBRC) in terms of quality assurance compliance.
The winding-down of the NWHC was wearisome as
it has taken too long to finalise.
Therefore, the Commission of enquiry was most welcomed and persons
responsible should account.
Another
concern was the issue of unspent funds (MIG) on bulk infrastructure by the
municipalities.
The delegation raised a
concern on the fairly low expenditure of about 15 per cent on rural housing
development yet the province is a rural set-up.
The delegation sought clarity as to how many houses were due for
rectification and the number of units rectified as from 2009/10 to 2011/12.
The delegation enquired whether the housing
needs register was aligned with the Housing Subsidy System in the national
Department of Human Settlements.
The
delegation was concern about the lack of progress on Community Residential
Units programme while there was budget allocated for the programme.
The delegation enquired about the cost of the
winding-down process of the NWHC and on which budget was the project funded
from.
The delegation sought
clarity on the number of families who were to benefit from the disaster
programme as well as the number of units that were affected.
The delegation ascertains the number of
beneficiaries to benefit from the FLISP programme.
The delegation requested the provincial
department to furnish a detailed report on the performance of RHIP during the
previous financial year.
The Committee
sought clarity on how many informal settlements have been upgraded on what
form.
4.5
Responses by the provincial
department
The
provincial department reported that all projects were taken over from the
municipalities, and it was only Moses Kotane that was not completely taken
over.
With regard to CRU, the provincial
department reported that 100 units were under construction and would be finalised
by July 2012.
It was reported that due
to lack of information from some municipality, the provincial department would
take costly exercise to recover the tranche payment made.
With regard to NWHC, the old stock was to be
handed over to beneficiaries.
The new
stock will be sold to the occupancy.
The
power of attorney would be taken by the Premier and the houses would be
registered on the deceased name and later transferred to their
beneficiaries.
The provincial department
reported that quarterly meetings were held with NHBRC.
The
funds for winding down the NWHC were sourced from the Departments
savings.
The Auditor-General proposed
that the Executive Committee (Exco) should fund the winding down of the
Corporation.
5. Meeting in different
districts and local municipalities
5. 1 Meeting at Dr Modiri
Molema Council Chambers Mafikeng municipality
The
delegation was welcomed by the Chief Director, who later handed over to the
Regional Manager to present the project profile of the Municipality.
The delegation was later joined by the
leadership of the Mafikeng municipality.
The
Regional Director presented the profile of Ditsobotla project.
He informed the delegation that the project
had 48 units for people with special needs.
The project was approved in 2008.
Ditsobotla
Peoples Housing Process project with 710 units and were allocated into four
villages.
The developer was challenged
by dolomite risk as discovered by Geographical Information System (GIS) studies
that were conducted.
Ventilated Pit
Latrine (VIP) toilets were provided in all rural villages.
Mafikeng
Villages project with 1 000 units, started in 2011 and envisaged to be
completed in October 2012.
There were
381 units completed and an amount of R53 million was already been spent.
The project was aimed at eradication of
informal settlements in around the Rooigrond Correctional Services.
The project was not enrolled with National
Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and internal bulk services were not
applicable and VIP toilets were installed.
The money for the project was transferred to Tlokwe Municipality and
later transferred to the developer.
The
delegation proposed that the municipality and the provincial department should
brief the Committee on the tranche payment in Parliament.
The date of the meeting was to be
communicated.
5.2 Meeting at Dr Ruth
Mompati District Council Chambers
The
Chief Director presented human settlements projects in the district.
It was indicated that there were
approximately 106 villages in the area of Taung. The area has been identified
as being prone to floods.
The delegation
was informed that in Vryburg Ext 25 in Naledi local municipality there was a
project where 1 000 units were approved.
Construction of the houses started in 2009, during the time, the municipality
was an implementing agent.
The project
was supposed to start in December 2011 but delayed due to challenges in the
appointment of service provider.
The
project was approved at a total amount of R56.2 million; expenditure was
at R540 000 at the time of the visit and the balance of R55.7 million.
There were no units completed by the time of
the visit.
It was reported that tranche
payments were made by the province to the municipality.
It was reported that 405 units were
completed; however the audit revealed that they required rectification.
Furthermore, those units were illegally
occupied.
It was further reported that
the district area was challenged by the discovery of traces of dolomite after a
borehole had been drilled near the area where development was to take
place.
The project had to stall until
the study of the stern of the dolomite was complete.
In
another village the contractor was supposed to construct 3000 units and R87
million was paid towards this project. It was indicated that when the province
took over, a lot of work had to be done in resuscitating the project and that
was to be done in phases. In the previous financial year the project was taken
to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to try to recover whatever that has
been paid to the contactor because of the shoddy workmanship. It was further
stated that the province will have to take care of all the issues that were not
taken care-off by the previous contractor including the Geographical
Information System (GIS) studies. Then, there were 100 foundations reported to
have been completed in that project.
The
municipality was stricken by disasters in 2006/07 financial year.
Various villages were affected.
An emergency housing project was approved
consisting of 2 000 units which forms was part of disaster project.
The units were divided amongst four women
contractors that were appointed.
An
amount of R87 million was allocated with the aim of responding to disasters.
With regards to sanitation, Ventilated Pit Latrines were to be installed.
Unfortunately, one contractor completed its
units.
Some had challenges varying from
dolomite challenges and among others.
In
greater Taung, Ba Ga Mothibi village, there were 21 subsidies approved and 18
units were reported to be completed by the time of the visit. This was called
War on poverty project.
It was reported
that VIP toilets were to be installed.
In
Pampierstad rectification, it was reported that the project was initiated in
2002, consisting of 900 units approved.
The units were poorly constructed and an audit was conducted.
The results revealed that out of 900 units,
578 units required rectification.
It was
reported that rectification was completed.
In
Boitomelong Ext 5, it was reported that the project started in December 2011.
There were 257 units that were approved.
The project value was R14, 3 million and by
the time of the visit, expenditure was at R7, 4 million.
The
delegation requested a full report on the criteria used to screen the
developers.
It further established
whether the provincial department was able to recoup monies from the
constructors producing poor workmanship.
Finally, the delegation agreed that the information presented was not
convincing and either or in monetary value and units delivered.
The delegation agreed that a proper report
should be compiled and submitted to the Committee.
5.3 Meeting at the City of
Matlosana local municipality
The
Chief Director presented the project profiles.
He reported that Jourberton 20 was a Breaking New Ground (BNG)
project.
The project was an informal
settlements upgrading with 975 units. It was indicated that sites were serviced
and there was water connections and access roads. Approximately, there were 130
units that have been approved. The project was allocated an amount of R9
million. Houses that were completed have been occupied. Bulk water and water
reticulation was already in place. House specifications were 45m² two bedrooms,
bath, toilet and a basin.
Jakaranda
farm worker project was a project that was going to accommodate 64 families
from the farms.
An amount of R4, 5
million was allocated for the construction of 64 units and 63 beneficiaries
were approved.
It was reported that the
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform purchased land for the
beneficiaries.
There was no bulk sewer
and the provincial department opted for integrated VIP system.
The houses were 45m², two bed-roomed houses with
a kitchen.
The project was constructed
by a woman contractor.
Jourberton
Ext 24 was a pilot project that was aimed to built 1 752 units, Khuma Ext 11
was aimed at building 316 units.
It was
reported that in Khuma Ext 11, there was a trace of dolomite; however the
Council for Geoscience recommended that the construction should continue.
In Kanana had 2 600 units to be
constructed.
It was reported that
contractors were appointed.
Tlokwe
Community Residential Units was reported to have 100 units which were aimed to
be completed by July 2012.
The
delegation was concerned about the number of units that were given to one
contractor Toro ya Africa who seemed to fail to built and some houses showed
poor workmanship.
The developers in the
province seemed to be administering everything i.e. beneficiary list management
and construction of houses.
The delegation
requested the provincial department to furnish it with a full report clarifying
reasons for the project to delay, the number of units to be constructed and the
contractors appointed.
The delegation
was concerned about the non involvement of NHBRC at the initial stages of the
projects.
Furthermore, the delegation
was concerned about the balance of R18 million in Jakaranda while houses were
completed.
It was proposed that 30% of
work should be given to women and youth contractors.
The delegation was concerned about the
provision of VIP toilets to farm dwellers whereas the farm owners were
utilising waterborne system and that was viewed as some kind of discrimination.
The
Chief Director reported that the provincial department had a practice of giving
the developer the function of beneficiary management as well as the allocation
of houses but it was since stopped by the MEC.
The provincial department later took a decision that it would manage the
beneficiary list.
That was due to the
fact that the provincial department had trained staff to utilise the Housing
Subsidy System.
It was reported that
there were no accredited municipalities to handle beneficiary list but they
were tasked to deal with data capturing.
The
Chief Director reported that in Khuma Ext 14, private geographical information
system studies were utilised.
It
proposed that for units to sustain dolomite the units should have aprons and
gutters to redirect rain water.
It was
reported that in Jakaranda the province was obliged to install VIP toilets as
there was no bulk infrastructure.
The
mayor reported the there was a housing backlog was at 31 000; 14 900 household
in informal settlements; some of the areas in Klerksdorp were using bucket
system and pit toilets; there were illegal settlements in private owned farm
land, with no services at all and some with only on water tap installed.
The
provincial department undertook to provide the study of all informal
settlements that were upgraded and or receiving services.
The
delegation recommended that the province should assist Matlosana in drafting an
urgent a plan to access funding from RHIG to address sanitation and water
challenges within the municipality.
5.4 Meeting at Bojanala
District Municipality
The
Acting mayor welcomed the delegation.
He
informed the delegation that the district was not yet accredited and local
municipalities were developing agents.
The regional director reported that there were five local municipalities
in the district.
He then presented seven
projects that were Mazista 500; Mothutlung; Boitekong Ext 15; Serelang Ext 1;
Redirile; Rasimone and Sunnyway.
5.4.1 Mazista 500, Kgetleng
local muncipality
It
was reported that Slate is mined at Mazista for roof tiling and other tiling
purposes. Some of the mine workers travel each day from Swartruggens to the
area whilst others live in old mining houses on the site or in old railway
houses and shacks at the former Mazista railway station. These houses and
shacks were generally in a bad condition. The owner of the slate mine, Mr.
Roelof Brits, donated land for a new housing project for these contract
workers. Water is obtained from communal taps while the people were using pit
latrines as a means of sewage disposal. The project was approved in 2009 for
the construction of 500 housing subsidy units. Toro Ya Africa Consultants was
appointed as a turnkey developer.
The
project was located at Swartruggens to eradicated informal settlements in the
area of Kgetleng local municipality. The proposed development has been constructed
on Portion 29 of the farm Doornkom 418 JP, Mazista,
North
West Province. The farm is situated to the west of the R509 provincial road
between Koster and Swartruggens. The development falls within the jurisdiction
of the Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality and the Bojanala Platinum District.
The size of the property measures 89.9805 ha.
5.4.2 Derby 129,
Kgetlengrivier local municipality
The
project was initially approved for 126 beneficiaries in October 2003. At the
time of approval of the project the land was still in the ownership of
Department of Public Works. The project was blocked while waiting for transfer
process.
The transfer process was
finalised in November 2009 and in 2010 the project was resuscitated as a
special women project. The project was approved in 2009 for the construction of
129 housing subsidy units. An Ikatiseng Property developer was appointed as a
turnkey developer. Delay was experience in project preplanning. The project was
completed in May 2012. This project forms part of the Womens build initiative
where women contractors were allocated projects to implement
5.4.3 Boitekong Ext 15,
Rustenburg local municipality
The
Department entered into
an
MoU with the National Housing
Funding Corporation (NHFC) and Impala Platinum to implement the Finance Linked
Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) in Boitekong Ex 15.
The aim of the project was to deliver 1553
units in the area. The land was purchased by the mine from the municipality for
residential purposes. Two types of houses were developed in the area. The
description of the houses are 60 square meters at the price of R265 000.00 for
three-bedroom houses and 50 square meters at a price of R225 000.00 for two-bedroom
houses.
The mine provides a R75 000
interest-free
loan
to its members and the rest of the
money is financed through a loan from NHFC and the subsidy amount from
FLISP.
It was reported that the project was
valued at R52 million.
5.4.4 Serelang Ext 1,
Rustenburg local municipality
On 13 November 2008 Anglo American Platinum and the
Department entered into memorandum of understanding to implement FLISP project
in Seraleng. The sod turning for project launch was done in April 2009. The
project was to construct 1 000 housing units. Phase one of infrastructure was completed
by the last quarter of 2010.
The
infrastructure includes sewer, water, electricity and roads.
5.4.5 Mothutlung, Madibeng
local municpality
The project was approved on 21 September 2005 for the
installation of Internal Services and the construction of 1000 housing units at
Mothutlung Ext 2, within the jurisdiction of the Madibeng Local Municipality.
Two show houses were built and during the construction phase the Council was
notified that there were no bulk services in the area and MIG funding was
applied for and approved. Proconse Consulting Engineers were contracted by
Madibeng Local Municipality in 2011 as Project Managers for the installation of
bulk services. The engineers have struggled to complete installation of bulk
services up to now.
Tranche payments
were made to the Municipality for the installation of internal water and sewer
connections. The contract was subsequently ceded to Homes 2000 (Pty) Ltd by the
Municipality. The construction of top structure has started but cannot be
completed due to the unavailability of bulk services. The developer has
completed the internal services and awaiting bulk for internal connections.
Presently the project has registered 927 wall-plates.
The wall plates are waiting for completion.
The developer cannot complete the houses because beneficiaries cannot move into
the houses without ablution facilities, which will create a health hazard. The
completion of these houses may also lead to illegal occupation of these houses
whilst awaiting completion of bulk services installation.
5.4.6 Rasimone, Rustenburg
local municipality
The Department entered into agreement with Tawana
Business Projects to construct 50 units in the village of Rasimone.
After finalization of a contract with the
developer, the project was delayed while the subsidy administration and
geotechnical investigation was concluded. In February 2011, the developer was
instructed to establish the site plan and start construction of housing units.
The project formed part of the womens build
initiative where women contractors were allocated projects to implement. The
project was reported as complete. This project participated in the Provincial
Govan Mbeki awards in the category of best women contractor projects and won.
The project also participated in the national Govan Mbeki Human Settlements
awards and won in the category of best woman contractor.
5.4.7 Sunnyway, Madibeng
local municipality
The Department and Madibeng Local Municipality entered
into an agreement with Sunset Bay Trading 441 for the construction of 1000
housing units and services at Sunnyway Village within the Madibeng Local
Municipality. This project is under construction and the developer was
finalizing the installation of services and the construction of top structure
was anticipated to commence during the second quarter of the 2012/13 financial
year.
The construction of proper road infrastructure was
also in progress, in order to allow for easy access of public transport to the
area and a much higher standard of service to the beneficiaries of this
development. The project by its nature is an integrated rural development and
will enhance the normal living of people as it would also accommodate different
categories of the community and facilities such open parks, sports, picnic
facilities and a sustainable fresh produce garden and market might be
considered at a later stage. That would strongly contribute towards the
Comprehensive Plan for the establishment of Integrated Human Settlements by
Government.
5.4.8 Delegation concerns,
comments and questions for clarity
The
delegation was concerned about the omission of Moses Kotane projects in the
presentation yet a request was made to report on all projects undertaken at the
municipality.
A Member of Parliament
deployed in Bojanala district municipality informed the meeting that there was
a project consisting of 4 000 units
was
left unfinished; in Serelang 460 were illegal occupied; houses built under the
power line; the communities were complaining that loan houses were not belonging
to human settlements but to the mines.
She was surprised that Moses Kotane challenges were not mentioned and
appealed to the delegation of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements to
consider revisiting the housing delivery matters in the district.
The
delegation requested the district to provide it with the number of informal
settlements and plans to upgrade such settlements and budget allocation;
programmes and plans in place for rectification programme and the number of
housing backlog.
The delegation was
concerned about the report on Madibeng local municipality on its bulk
infrastructure delays whereas there was money for sanitation (RHIG) which had
not been used by the province.
It was
concerned about the beneficiary management as corruption was rife.
The delegation enquired when was the
municipality going to purchase honey sucker trucks as it seemed that then the
number was low. The delegation observed that the relationship between the
province and the NHBRC seemed to be boardroom based as it was not visible on
the ground.
A concern was raised on
under expenditure on MIG while the district had challenges of bulk
infrastructure.
5.4.9 Responses
The
regional director informed the delegation that the district was struggling to
get beneficiaries for FLISP projects and only 65 applications received; only 49
of the applicants were approved due to stringent conditions.
It was further reported that mines would
continue to build houses and allocated people who qualifies to access
loans.
The district reported that
Moreteng project which was build under power line became blocked while was on
wall plate and was vandalised.
It was
reported that it was under resuscitation and the service provider was appointed.
The township registration was approved and
planned to be finalised by March 2013.
On illegal occupation, it was reported that it was a huge challenge as
people would go as far as swapping the stands.
The eviction process was started and could not get the court order on
three occasions.
The district was also
concerned that it should provide alternative accommodation for the evicted
people.
It
was reported that the municipality do not own the electricity licence in
Mothutlung.
In Mazista it was reported
that the developer was lobbying for funding, unfortunately the municipality
could not agree with the technology.
With regards to land issues, it was reported that the study conducted
revealed that only 4% of land was owned by the Rustenburg municipality.
It was reported that housing units backlog
was at 58 000.
The
district municipality was concerned that the department of minerals energy was
issuing mineral rights to the mines without consultation.
The district reported that it had 68 informal
settlements consisting of 54 392 shacks.
In Rustenburg, it was reported that there were 13 informal settlements
consisting of 34 846 informal dwelling.
In Madibeng, there were 31, with 15 022 shacks.
It was reported that there was a need of
three honey sucker trucks for the municipality.
It was reported that in the upgrading of informal settlement both the
in-situ and relocation were used. The district reported that it had no
knowledge of the bucket system.
The
delegation noted that district was unable to respond on issue of bucket
system.
The delegation stated that a
Member of Parliament has a Constitutional mandate to execute an oversight on
any executive authority on issues pertaining service delivery.
Therefore it was recommended that a meeting
be convened between a deployed Member of Parliament within Bojanala
constituency area, especially Moses Kotane and the province to deliberate on
human settlements issues and report outcomes to the Committee within three
months.
6. Projects visited by the
delegation
6.1 Site visit to Rooigrond
informal settlement
The
delegation was informed that the settlement was established in 2007. A large
number of the Rooigrond community consists of farm workers that were evicted
from the farms around the area.
The
community experience service delivery challenges such as lack or poor basic
services, housing, water, sanitation, health services and access to economic
opportunities.
A decision was taken by
the municipality to move the residents 500m away from the correctional
services.
One of the reasons for moving
them was to prevent the smuggling of drugs to the prisoners.
The community urged the delegation to
assist in reinstating the services such as mobile clinic, internal roads for
easy access by ambulance, police, disaster management services and also other
services outlined in the indigent policy such as burial of indigent members of
the community.
The municipality informed
the delegation that basic services were provided in the area closer to the
correctional facility where the community was requested to move to.
The provincial department indicated that the
funds were made available for the construction of 1000 units for the Rooigrond
informal settlements.
However, the funds
were moved to another project as the municipality was waiting for Councils
resolution on the final decision about the settlement.
The
delegation resolved that the municipality should communicate with the community
and consider their concerns.
The
municipality should review the decision of moving the community away from the
correctional services, as that was unnecessary.
It was also resolved that basic services should be provided and VIP
toilets should be installed.
The
municipality undertook to meet the community and discuss the way forward.
6.2 Site visit to Ditsobotla
special houses for people with disabilities
The
project started in 2008, as the Premiers initiative to assist people with
disabilities who were attending school in the vicinity to be accommodated and
to use houses as hostel.
The project had
48 units and those houses were 49 m², two bed-roomed, bathroom and open
kitchen.
The project was enrolled with
NHBRC.
The terms of the project was that
the houses should be transferred to beneficiaries and issued with title
deeds.
The municipality stated that
there was a process in place for transferring the houses to beneficiaries.
The old structures that people were
previously residing in belonged to the Department of Public Works. Those
structures were dilapidated.
Local
people were employed as subcontractors for building and painting.
The contractor informed the delegation that
it had applied for top-up funding to install gutters for water
redirecting.
The houses were well
constructed.
The
delegation observed that the houses were not user-friendly as there were no
hand rails in the bathrooms and there were baths instead of showers.
There were no sinks in the kitchen.
Electricity was not yet connected.
The beneficiary stated that it was difficult
for her to use a bath and she would prefer a shower but they were not
consulted. The delegation emphasised that hand rails, shower instead of a bath,
sink in the kitchen should be installed.
Furthermore, that an apron should be broadening to accommodate wheel
chairs beneficiaries.
6.3 Site visit to Ditsobotla
Peoples Housing Process (PHP) pilot project
A
developer was appointed to build houses for the beneficiaries (that is called
managed PHP).
The municipality was
monitoring the construction and was paying the contractor based on the report
received from its inspectors.
The
project was enrolled with the National Home Builders Registration Council.
There was electricity in the village, but no
water even though water reticulation was done.
The water from the boreholes was not enough for the village.
There were 31 units that were constructed and
there were in different stages i.e. foundation, wall plate and some on roof
stage.
The communities were using
Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) toilets. The delegation was informed that an
amount of R3 million was set aside to resolve water shortages in the
village.
There were no baths or sinks
installed in all PHP houses.
It was
alleged that houses that were in municipal land had basic services installed
but those in tribal land were not provided with such services.
The
Community Development Worker informed the delegation that the VIP toilets were
installed in 1998 and were not maintained.
Sanitation issue was a challenge.
The district normally emptied the toilets but the challenge was with
disposal and not knowing what to do with it.
It was alleged that there was no proper social facilitation.
The community was never given a chance to
contribute in building of their houses.
People that were working in the project were not registered and were
victimised, not paid on time.
The
delegation was not happy that kitchen sinks, bathrooms and toilets were not
provided.
6.4 Site visit to Dihatswane
village
Dihatswane
is one of the six villages that have been identified for housing developments
in the area. A total number of 145 units were planned. It was indicated that
the municipality had planned the units to be 150 and they were reduced to
145.
The contractor, Mosegedi and
Associates built 135 and the construction started in 2011. It was further
indicated that progress on construction was dependent on the approved
beneficiaries. The municipality indicated that they traced the beneficiaries
according to the location. There were people who were in a wrong side of the
village and there's a dispute between the Tribal Authorities and the
municipality; that was why houses could not be build in such areas. The
challenge was that on the application people write an address only to find that
they live on the other side of the village, hence the disputes with the Tribal
Authorities.
The delegation raised a concern that there was a perception that houses that
were built for people living in the villages should be substandard and this
should not be the case, houses must be of the same quality. It was enquired
whether the National Home Builders Registration Council was assisting with the
issues of quality.
The Councillor indicated that there were more than 300 people who needed
houses; however, a decision was taken that 1000 will no longer be allocated to
Rooigrond because of the disputes in the area. In Schoongesigt only 45
beneficiaries would benefit, others were told that the area was dolomatic but
there was no geotechnical study report to attest to that. She further indicated
that people were promised that the municipality will come to verify if they
were on the list or not; out of those, there were nine beneficiaries people on
the tribal land. The provincial department had indicated that there was a
memorandum of understanding that people should benefit.
The Ward Councillor informed the delegation that houses that were built were
not the ones that they were promised.
She alleged that the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) were not taken
into account when developments were taking place.
The
delegation through interaction with community members, observed that there were
people who had been residing in Schoongesigt for the period more than 20
years.
However, the provincial
department did not considered nor provide those communities with houses and
that was totally unacceptable.
The
delegation stated that the Rooigrond project should continue, as the budget was
already made available.
It was concerned
that the communities were not consulted about the issues that concern them.
6.5 Site visit Moshawane in Signal Hill
The Regional Manager stated that the project was a rural project.
There were 72 units completed out of 300
units that were initially approved.
The
houses were two bed-roomed houses, reported to be poorly constructed, and would
require rectification.
There were no internal
doors and the delegation requested that doors should be installed.
There was a need to register beneficiaries in
the area of Moshawane.
Water was raised
as critical and scarce resource in the area.
A
community member complained that there was no school, no clinic and there was
no water and no electricity.
She
alleged that unscrupulous people sold houses while others were not getting
them.
The
delegation urged the municipality to assist communities with water as it is a
basic constitutional right.
6.6 Site visit to Setlopo disaster area
The
Dithakong disaster of 2006 had affected 130 housing units. By the time of the
visit only 40 units were completed and 90 units were to be completed by end of
September 2012.
The village had communal
taps, electricity and outside VIP toilets.
The chief in the area informed the delegation that water was still a challenge
as the area was experiencing water scarcity; in other houses people were
digging their own boreholes. The Municipal Manager told the delegation that
there should be a review of legislation, as most of the powers and functions
between local and the district municipality, rest with the district.
The grants were received by the district and
most decisions were taken by the district on how the grant should be spent
without consulting the local municipality.
6.7 Site visit to
Pampierstad
The
project was part of the cross boarder project between Northern Cape and North
West. The project started in 2002 with 900 units.
After the demarcation, the area was handed
over to Northern Cape. Records reflect that 578 houses in Pampierstad were
being subjected to rectifications due to shoddy workmanship. In the same
housing project in Pampierstad, it was evident that contractors were
contravening norms and standards e.g. there were no aprons on the outside walls
and the inside walls were merely backwashed and not plastered. It was evident
that the provincial department therefore runs the risk of conducting
rectifications upon rectifications if the matter was not attended.
The
delegation supported that the funding formula should be reviewed and thereby
ensuring that funds for the Rectification Programme are separated from the
Human Settlements Development Grant. The province made a commitment to furnish
the Committee with a separate report on this matter.
6.8 Site visit to Synchrocom
The
delegation visited Synchrocom where 257 housing units were constructed. The
delegation was concerned about the reporting that was not clear and lacked
specific issues e.g. foundations done and structures completed. Clarity was
sought on what happens when a contractor leaves the site without completing the
units and also what happened to the retention fees. A concern was raised on why
R87 million was transferred to that particular contractor because that could
open doors for corruption. It was further indicated that payment system of the
municipality was not up to standard.
It
was alleged that rules of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), No 1 of
1999, were flouted, and the system needed to be tightened to avoid corruption.
In response, the municipality informed the delegation that upon receipt of the
funds they immediately transfer them to contractors without having conducted a
proper study on the progress of the project. However, the SIU have been
investigating the issue, and the reports were still outstanding.
The delegation was requested to intervene in
the matter. The Mayor indicated that Naledi municipality was going to locate
people who occupied incomplete houses.
It was further indicated that there was a house that was built for R8
million and there was no proper briefings as to what was the progress on the
Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigations in respect of the house.
It was further indicated that there was no
coordination in the running of projects, the national Department of Human
Settlements does its own programme, another Department will also come with its
own programme, and the information received was disjointed.
6.9 Visit on the War on poverty
project
The
housing units were called new generations. There were 18 out of the 21 units
completed with VIP toilets installed and water was available. The toilet was
designed in such a way that when it was full they can dig a pit next to the
full one, move the top structure, and cover the new pit. Another one is to
provide the chemicals that will help to decompose the solid waste. Eskom was
also called in to provide electricity.
The
delegation enquired as to which process was followed in identifying
beneficiaries. It was further enquired whether the province does the screening
of beneficiaries. It was indicated that the municipality identifies the
beneficiaries that are needy.
The
municipality indicated that out of 21 beneficiaries that were initially
approved it was later discovered that three beneficiaries did not qualify. It
was further indicated that the initiative was a joint venture between local and
provincial governments. However, three beneficiaries failed because they might
have benefited in the past.
The
delegation indicated that when a beneficiary could not be located, the
municipality should be advertised in the local media such as community radio
station as well as in the print media until they were located.
The delegation was concerned about the size
of houses build by the province (45 m²) and sought clarity on how the province
was managing it.
The
delegation reported that people always complain that they have been taken out
of the beneficiary list without them being informed.
However it was requested that when taking
them out, they should be duly informed.
The
delegation was impressed with the quality of the house. However, there was no
toilet or a water sink inside the house.
6.10 Site visit to Matsheng
project
The
project was declared a project of war on poverty and was an initiative by the
Deputy President, Kgalema Montlante. The project consisted of 50 approved units
and was still in the process of completion in Matsheng.
6.11 Site visit to Vryburg
It was indicated that initially the project was supposed to deliver 3 000
units. It was stated that 87 units were poorly constructed. There were 405
units that were illegally occupied and unfortunately those units had defects
that required rectification.
It was also
reported that NHBRC was involved in the quality assurance determination,
therefore the delegation instructed the national department to make a follow-up
on the issue and NHBRC should be liable for the rectification cost.
People were supposed to be evicted but they
were refusing. The area was initially identified to upgrade three informal
settlements in the area.
By the time of
a visit, units were supposed to be 90 percent complete, but the process has
stalled.
Adjacent to the 405 units project, there was a site which was identified to
develop 1000 units and the geotechnical studies outcome report stated that the
area was dolomitic.
However, the second
opinion revealed that the area was not dolomitic all and that raised a serious
concern about the credibility of some geotechnical studies conducted.
The delegation enquired if there has been a
survey to see how many people need to be relocated. On issues of land, the
community indicated that the land is theirs.
The
mayor of Naledi municipality indicated that there was a huge backlog in the
area. A beneficiary list was in his office and would like the regional manager
to explain the processes to be followed in compiling the beneficiary list.
It was indicated that other beneficiaries did not qualified as alleged to be
previously benefited, some people live in old structures and they were found
not to be having title deeds.
The
delegation recommended that community education was very crucial and
communities should be educated about various policies in human settlements. It
was also indicated that not everyone could be given a house free. It was
recommended that the provincial department should convene an urgent meeting to
support the Naledi municipality in addressing housing challenges in the area.
Furthermore, a team from the national
department should form part of the meeting and to Vryburg, meet with the
mayoral committee with the aim of resolving challenges encountered, and provide
a report to the Portfolio Committee. The mayor of Naledi municipality indicated
that a local housing Indaba was scheduled to take place during the 1st week of
July 2012.
The
delegation indicated the Vryburg project should be treated as a priority
project. She further indicated the committee would follow the progress in that
particular housing project. It was indicated that the SIU investigation issue
might be a delicate one and the Committee will liaise with the national
Department of Human Settlements on the matter.
6.12 Interaction with
Community members
A
community representative from
Huhudi,
indicated that
they had three informal settlements in the area. He further informed the
delegation that the community moved into the houses in November 2011 because
they no longer had patience of waiting. It was also stated that the community
was informed that the houses would be demolished, however they did not
understood why the houses would be demolished when so much money was already
spent in constructing of those houses. The community also reported that they
applied long ago for houses and were not receiving them and those who recently
applied were the ones receiving the houses.
The delegation informed the community that their issues were being
investigated. The mayor indicated that there were houses to be constructed
where the community would be given proper shelter. It was further stated that
people would be given houses in accordance to the beneficiary list.
6.13 Site visit to open land where
construction was due to start in June 2012
Site
visit to an open Land parcel where there was going to be a Housing Development
in Vryburg. Mrs Annel Barnard from NHBRC indicated that the project was
enrolled but the NHBRC discovered that the area was dolomitic. It was then
decided that geotechnical report will be complied. Mrs Barnard also indicated
that the NHBRC was involved with other project in Vryburg but the community has
illegally occupied the units. The NHBRC stated that there is going to be 1000
units. She further indicted that in some areas, developers do not listen when
they are told that they should stop with developments following the
geotechnical findings.
A representative from Toro ya Africa, Mr Less Davis, indicated that part of the
reason that project was stalled is that there were no services installed. This
has led to houses not being insured.
The leader of the delegation stated that, once the project is enrolled with
NHBRC, it is not a project of the Province and in this instance where shoddy
work was done, NHBRC should take the responsibility. NHBRC must take ownership
and a report be provided to the Portfolio Committee in two weeks time.
6.14 Site visit Joubertina
Ext 6
It
was indicated that the project started in 2005 and finished in 2010. There are
no doors inside. The delegation enquired as to whether the assessment of this
project was done because it is an old project with old specification. In
viewing the house, it was found that the house qualifies for rectification. The
toilet is outside but there is water.
The
delegation recommended that those houses must be fitted with doors, especially
for those beneficiaries who are unemployed.
6.15 Site visit in Tlokwe in
Ikageng Township in Potchefstroom R24 million project
The
project was meant to cater for 100 units. The project was to transform old
hostels into family units. It was indicated that the municipality prioritized
this project and it is going to be rental units. It was stated that from the
revenue collected, maintenance of the structures can be carried out. The
project will was meant to be handed over in July. The municipality will take
charge in the running and maintenance of the units. The units are not yet
complete. The yard will be paved and there will be playing grounds and other
amenities. It was stated that R2 million has been budgeted carry out the
objectives.
The
delegation enquired if SHRA was involved in the project and how much the
municipality was going to charge for rentals. It was further enquired if there
is a Memorandum of Understanding between SHRA and the Municipality. It was
indicated that the project is meant to improve the quality of lives of the
people who live in these Hostels. The Municipality will take charge of
identifying these beneficiaries. The delegation enquired as to who will be
managing the property. The Contractor Andisa, a youth Contractor indicated that
they went to rope in Toro ya Afrika to form a joint venture. He further stated
they also made sure that youths form part of this project and there are about
seven companies owned by youths.
The
leader of the delegation enquired if there are plans in place that will make
sure that local people from the area are provided with skills. It was indicated
that a meeting was held with SHRA and another company called Madulammoho (they
are responsible for management of buildings such as the ones visited by the
delegation). It was indicated that Madulammoho from Johannesburg will be in the
area for five years and will transfer skills to the local community.
Beneficiaries are already been identified and 2000 applications have already been
received. It was stated that beneficiaries are per the policy. It indicated
that rentals will be charged as follows, bachelor flat (10 of them) at R550.00
per month.
There would be one bed-roomed
flat (30 of them) at R750.00 per month; and two bed-roomed (60 of them)
at R900 per month. It was indicated that the project is enrolled with
NHBRC.
6.16Site visit to Reagile
EXT 3 in Koster (the incomplete project)
It
was indicated that the project was started between 2003 and 2007 and the houses
have been identified for rectification. It was a blocked project and was
awaiting the enrolment with NHBRC. It was indicated that some people could not
wait any longer and they decided to move into the units even those that were
not completed. The area has got bulk services.
6.17 Site visit to Mazista Project in
Swartruggens
It was indicated that the community were
relocated to this site from the other area. The delegation enquired as to where
are the facilities such as schools and clinics. It was indicated that mobile
clinics are available and children attend school in Swartruggens about 20 km a
distance. It was further stated that there is no proper school transport system
and children use hikes to get to school.
The mayor of Swartruggens indicated that there are 30 houses that are not
occupied. Another challenge is the health system in the area. She further
indicated that Eskom has committed to put electricity in the area. The project
was initiated in 2009 and has not been completed.
The
Chairperson of the Provincial Portfolio Committee indicated that the Provincial
Department of Education should prioritize the education in the area and will
request that scholar transport be provided
It
was recommended that mobile facilities are needed in the area, even mobile
classes are needed. The delegation stated that when a settlement is being
planned, facilities such as schools and clinics should be included in the
plans. There is no water in the area. Community member indicated that there are
periodical water cuts; the community is told that the machine pumping the water
is not working properly. Regional Director indicated that the water comes from
the boreholes, and then they fill the reservoir. He further indicated that
there is Magalis Water Board acting as the Water Services Authority and they
should be brought in to assist with water issues.
In
viewing the house: The house is a two bedroom house with a bath and a toilet
and water basin. The HOD indicated that ceiling is included according to the
specifications.
6.18 Site visit to Swartruggens Borolelo
Ext 23 (incomplete blocked project)
The
project started in 2003 and was initially planned for 500 units. The project
has been blocked and some people took it upon themselves to finish their
structures.
It
was enquired as to what happened to the beneficiaries.
The HOD indicated that audits are being conducted in the area as to which
houses would need rectification and which ones need to be demolished. He
further indicated that some of the projects were handled by municipalities on
the behalf of the province.
The Mayor indicated that the Province must go back to the communities and
report as to what is the status of the project, because the province has
informed the municipality that there are geotechnical teams that must come and
assess these houses. Meanwhile, when the Municipality checks on their systems
they find that a beneficiary has benefitted and they cannot be approved. This
is a challenge because the community is up in arms complaining about the delay in
the provision of houses.
It
was indicated that the NHBRC was not involved initially. Some houses had
defects.
Mayor indicated that they have about 80 beneficiaries facing the challenge of
reflecting on the system as having benefited but no houses were allocated.
6.19 Site visit in FLISP Project
Hartebeest - Madibeng municipality
Phase one was understood to consist of 1000
units.
It was indicated that there was
no funding for sewer then. Original Record of Decision was not followed but the
engagements were continuing. The Department indicated that they could not
proceed with the project without water and sanitation connections and meeting
the NHBRC interventions. It was indicated that a plan was in place for the
provision of schools and a clinic in the project.
The
delegation commended the municipality for showing them the initial plans
reflects the BNG plans. The delegation enquired whether there were plans for
social amenities since a settlement cannot be established or be complete
without social amenities being available. The delegation expressed a concern as
to whether the province was still operating within its budget.
The
Province indicated that it would complete the units with the budget allocated.
That project started back in 2006. Land was identified and province negotiated
with the municipality for the land to be released. In 2008 province had the
approval, and in 2009, the project was signed. Municipality does not have land
for the development of Social housing. People working in the area travel
approximately 30 km a day hence the need for this kind of development. Parks
and playing areas are also provided for in the planning, including soccer
fields. It was indicated that what Cosmo City in Johannesburg has done, was
that they have distinctly kept RDP houses apart. This does not encourage
integration, however, in this project integration is catered for. The area has
36 Wards.
The
delegation raised a concern that MIG funding is supposed to cater for the
connection of water services and the municipality could not say that they lack
funding to provide water services
The delegation also enquired if was there a provision for solar system as per
Millennium Development Goals.
The
municipality indicated that they are negotiating with Eskom to come to the
party to assist with the provision of electricity in the area. It was indicated
that historically Tshwane has supplied electricity. The municipality indicated
that Eskom requires that they build a R45 million substation but the
municipality cannot afford that kind of a project. Madibeng does not have the
infrastructure of this kind. Madibeng has applied to Eskom for assistance
The
delegation recommended that Eskom should be invited before the Portfolio
Committee to present on how it can assist poor communities.
Ward councillor in the area indicated that the concern is on the sewage area,
R15 million was provided for installation of sewer. Sanitation system is
nonexistent in the three rural areas; people go to the field to relieve
themselves.
The leader of the delegation indicated that VIP toilet is not a good system;
new systems should be looked at. In the providing Human Settlements it means
that construction of a structure be accompanied by other services. It also
enquired as to how often the municipality empties the buckets form the toilets.
A Councillor indicated that the buckets are collected twice a month. The
delegation raised a concern that if buckets are collected twice a month, how
many buckets are provided per house?
Municipality
has indicated that Popo Molefe informal settlement was established next to the
sewer plant so they might have to be moved.
Bucket systems are a problem in the area, ward councillor indicated that they
provide six buckets for 46 households.
6.20 Site visit to Jacaranda
informal settlements
This
is a farmland and the owner left about three families. It was indicated that
people came and invaded the land. There is about 500 families living in this
land at the current moment and this is a private land. There is only one water
tap shared by the whole settlement.
A resident informed the delegation that the owner of the land had promised to
build about 50 houses for his employees and this was said to have attracted
many people in the area. They indicated that they have applied for housing
through the municipality.
6.21 Site visit to Jakaranda
The
second visit, the delegation proceeded to women build project in Jakaranda RDP
Houses.
The number of units allocated is 111. The contractor said that they have
started with the aprons and have completed 50 of them. In viewing the house, it
was a 45 square meter house.
The
delegation was impressed with quality of a house. Chief Director Mr Mgengo
indicated that there is 80 percent occupation.
The Mayor indicated that they have been engaging Eskom; they have been
excluded from the municipal budget. He further requested that Eskom should make
a presentation before parliament on how they are planning to roll out their
electricity programme.
6.22 Site visit to Jourbeton
Ext 20
This
is an informal settlement-upgrading project with 975 units. It was indicated
that sites were serviced and there was water connections and access roads. The
project was allocated R9 million. Houses that were completed have been
occupied. Bulk water and reticulation were already in place. The houses
specifications were 45 m², two bed-roomed with bath, toilet and hand basin.
6.23 Site visit to Jourbeton
Ext 24
The
project was allocated 2084 units and an amount of R98 million was allocated.
It was indicated that the project was complete with 1700 units. Toro ya Africa
was a contractor responsible. Toro ya Africa built 1752 units while the
remainder was given to Kosh Construction.
The delegation raised a concern that the developer seems to be too much
involved even with the registration of beneficiaries and need an explanation on
this issue.
The delegation further enquired about the reasons behind the blocking of this
project because of dolomite, and where is NHBRC a case like this.
A
concern was also raised as to why houses were built without toilets provision.
In addition, if there was additional funding for the additional services
mentioned during the presentation.
The
delegation enquired as to what was meant by integrated VIP. The delegation condemned
the issue of developers involved in the registration of beneficiaries.
In his response, the Chief Director indicated that it was recommended that the
women and youth should be involved in the construction of houses. The
delegation indicated that there has to be 80 % of houses constructed by
established companies. It was indicated that for the surveying of GIS, private
surveyors were used. It was indicated that, before NHBRC could come into play,
dolomite studies were not conducted. In rural areas the Department provide VIP
because there are no bulk services.
The delegation raised a concern that even on this democratic era departmental
officials seem to apply the same pattern or practises that were used during the
apartheid era where communities in rural and townships
were subjected to substandard services, hence
toilets or sanitation facilities are
still of low quality or
houses built
without these facilities.
It was indicated that the land was purchased
on behalf of beneficiaries from land affairs. On the bucket system, Deputy
Director Sanitation, indicated that there are no bucket toilets in the
province. The backlog was estimated at 31000, with nine informal settlements.
The Executive Mayor indicated that there were approximately 14 000 households
in need if housing. There was an areas in Kosh were there was bucket system,
others have pit toilets. In other areas, because of the geotechnical survey not
done, the Municipality cannot build in some other areas. Next to Jakaranda
there is a new informal settlement on a private land, about 500 households.
A concern was raised about R57 million that was allocated to RHIP, because in
some other areas people do not have water and sanitation. The delegation stated
that a remedial plan should be provided as to how this money is going to be
used and how RHIP will be rolled out.
6.22 Site visit to Reagile Ext 3 in Koster
This project is from 2003 and 2007, it was incomplete project and houses are
due for rectification. It was blocked and was awaiting the enrolment with
NHBRC. It was indicated that some people could not wait any longer and they
decided finish their houses and move into the structures. The area has bulk
services.
6.23 Site visit to
Toro ya Africa emergency housing project
The project was an emergency housing project
responding to disasters. In 2006, the greater Taung was hit by the disaster
which affected more than 2000 households. The entire infrastructure was
damaged. An amount of R87 million was allocated. Toro ya Africa was the company
appointed to rebuild damaged post the disaster. Sanitation project was provided
in a form of enviro low system but the community was not comfortable with this
system. Communities did not want to be relocated to other areas; they preferred
to remain where they are. Four different women constructors were appointed, and
only one constructor delivered successfully. Those who failed, one of the
reasons was that the area of dolomitic. It was indicated that the Department
only received allocation towards the end of the financial year which is R15
million. It was indicated that the project is now proceeding very well and has
been registered with the NHBRC.
The delegation raised a concern that in many projects that the briefings were
done, it all boils down to the developer as the person to be blamed. The
delegation stated that it should be fully briefed on how developers were
appointed.
The Department
indicated is that the challenge was that, when the development has commenced
which do not have bulk infrastructure, the developer would to move ahead with
the view that bulk issues would be sorted at a later stage.
A concern was raised
that when a contractor is appointed to come rectify what the previous
contractor has done, this is a wasteful expenditure. The delegation enquired as
to what has been done to recover the money that has been lost. In addition,
what happened to the issue of the SIU investigation?
6.24 Site visit to Redirile
129 units Kgetleng Revier Local Munipality,
Project
is called Redirile. It was indicated that 129 units were approved. A women
contractor was appointed to construct the units and they were completed without
any challenges. It was indicated that it was occupation 100% in all the units.
The delegation enquired as to why are there no aprons. The department indicated
the specifications at that time did not include aprons. The delegation also
enquired as to why are there no inside doors, because recently developed houses
should have doors inside. In viewing the house, the owner told the delegation
that the doors were fitted when they moved in. The leader of the delegation
enquired as to where is the toilet and the bathroom, because this is a new
project and this BNG.
VIP
toilets were provided long before the project came in. A concern was raised
about VIP toilets that were provided, while there MIG fund for providing bulk
infrastructure. The municipality indicated that the water sources are from the
borehole.
The contractor indicated the following challenges: getting the beneficiary list
on time, costs of building material that has escalated completion of the
project in three months. The contractor indicated that they currently doing the
social responsibility of building two houses for the disabled. Other challenge
is the delay in payments. The contractor indicated she borrowed the money from
NURCHA and her concern is that the interest is high. NURCHA charges R30 000 in
administration fee and this is too high. A concern was raised that, women
contractors seem to be allocated fewer units.
6.25 Site visit to Popo
Molefe informal settlement
The
informal settlement started in 1996; it had 167 shacks and 96
beneficiaries.
There were six bucket
toilet facilities that were emptied twice a month.
The communities were complaining about the mobile
clinic that was coming to them only once a month or never come and the nearest
clinic was two hours away walking distance.
There
was also a block of municipal hostel building with six rooms within the
informal settlements which was appalling.
The delegation was told that municipal officials who were maintaining
the sewer plant were residing there in that hostel.
There was no storm water drainage, no
electricity and water pipes were leaking.
6.26 Site visit to Sunnyway
Village
The
delegation was informed that the project proposal was presented to the Council
in 2006, and the project was approved in 2009.
The proposed plan of the project indicated that the project would
accommodate low-cost housing.
Apparently, the municipality had encountered land challenges to proceed
at the time.
It was further realised
that the municipality did not have sufficient land to accommodate both low cost
and social housing opportunities to its community.
Eventually,
private sector donated a land parcel of which another portion was to be paid
for by the local government later.
Approximately, 1 110 stands were made available and were serviced.
Water pipelines were connected.
Once again, the project was challenged by
lack of a reservoir and funding for sewer connections.
A Record of Decision (ROD) was not yet
provided.
Another challenge facing the
municipality was lack of funding to address sanitation as a whole in the area.
The Department of Water Affairs made funds
available to upgrade the Rietfontein sewer plant, approximately, R15 million
was provided.
However, more funds were
required for the success of the project.
The housing development project was divided into four phases.
Phase 1 was state subsidy houses, phase 2 and
3 was for private sale and affordable houses and phase 4 would be high-density
houses.
The project was meant to
accommodate people from the three rural areas.
Sanitation was cited as a challenge.
6.26.1 Deliberations
The
delegation enquired about the number of informal settlements within the
municipality.
The delegation further
enquired if the municipality was using bucket system, if so how often the
buckets were emptied and allocation ratio per household.
The delegation further enquired about the
beneficiary management and coordination.
6.26.2 Responses
The
municipality reported that it has 31 informal settlements and approximately 15
000 households living there.
It was
reported that the bucket system was still in use and six buckets were allocated
to 46 families.
There were also 330
people living at the dumping site who were to be accommodated in the new
housing development.
7.
Outcomes of the follow-up meeting held with
the North West MEC 26 July 2012
The
Committee held a meeting with the province and the respective municipalities in
Parliament as a follow-up on issues
raised
during the
oversight visit.
The objective of the
meeting was to meet with the national department, the MEC and the mayors of the
following municipalities i.e. Naledi, Mafeking and Swartruggens to brief the
Committee on outstanding issues.
It was
agreed that the Rooigrond communities would not be evicted anymore.
The national and provincial department should
facilitate the process to address the 405 illegally occupied units in Naledi
Local Municipality.
The national
department should present the SIU report regarding the North West for the
alleged fraud and corruption practises to the Committee. The province should
update the Committee on the response by NHBRC on the 405 units with serious
defects while the project was under its supervision.
Furthermore, the national department to
report on the role of Maxima Consultants with regard to the roll-out of
sanitation, in the province and the costing thereof.
The national department should also report on
what plans they have to extend the sanitation service providers that will
include Community Based Organisation and cooperatives. It was further stated
that the national department should present its plans and process to implement
the 10% deduction from provinces for rectification.
To present processes and policy framework on
the utilisation MIG for human settlements development.
8. Observations
The delegation observed the
following:
The
province was experiencing service delivery protests that were mainly due to
incomplete houses; sinking houses due to poor geotechnical studies that were
done.
Even though the provincial
department painted a glossy picture and good relationship between them and the
National Home Builders Registration Council, there were projects that were not
enrolled and some required rectification.
The tranche payments that were made by the provincial department to
municipalities and later to contractors who failed to complete projects and left
them blocked.
The allocated conditional
grant was used to rebuild old houses instead of new houses and that impacted on
targets and plans not being met.
The
provincial department did not utilise its allocated budget for the provision of
sanitation even though most of the informal settlements and other townships
were still using bucket system and in some areas including rural areas people
were opting for open defecation.
Lack
of required capacity of provincial department and its municipalities to manage
the Housing Beneficiary List and credible Housing Subsidy System (HSS) was of
concern.
This meant that the Housing
Beneficiary List could be easily manipulated by officials (as had been
witnessed in many municipalities).
There
were reports of unruly individuals who vandalised and illegally occupied houses
in order to jump the queue of the Housing Beneficiary List.
The under-spending persisted to be a common
challenge for most municipalities despite the dire need for housing, sanitation
and other services.
There were houses
that were built in isolation of social amenities such as clinics, schools, and
playgrounds. Many projects were not subjected to geotechnical studies and were
subsequently blocked thus resulting in poorly constructed houses that require
rectification.
Houses are built without
sanitation facilities or pit toilets and the Committee does not approve this
kind of a system or facility.
Most
municipalities in the province had capacity constraints in areas of technical
expertise that is town planners, engineers etc.
Many communities had no basic services like running water, electricity
and refuse removal.
In the delivery of
Community Residential Units, the provincial department was moving at a snail
pace as far as reaching the targets.
Discrepancies in the reported figures for housing backlog and housing
needs were noted.
The late allocation of
Disaster Relief Fund in the 2011/12 financial year resulted in the fund not
been spent.
The rectification of
rectified houses was also a concern.
Lack of public participation was raised as great concern, as it is a
Constitutional imperative for people to participate in decision making on their
development or service delivery undertaken in their area.
Decision taken in very important governance structures
are not honoured and respected such as the adoption of Macro Coordinated and
Alignment Framework by MinMec, however it appeared as a talk show as it is not
implemented.
The commitment by the
province in empowering women and youth contractors was very much
commendable.
The decision by the MEC to
take over the implementing status from the municipalities that were not
accredited was also applauded to, as that was compromising service delivery.
9.
Recommendations
The
Committee recommends that the Minister should ensure that the national
department:
1.
Brief
the Committee on the progress made to address the sanitation challenges as well
the budget expenditure to that effect.
2.
Ensure
that the adopted Macro Coordinated and Alignment Framework by MinMec are
implemented as it a vehicle to the realisation of an integrated development
envisaged by the government.
3.
Ensure
that Delivery Agreement Foras address service delivery issues adequately, thus
include the mineral rights licensing which was raised by the province sharply
as huge challenge in mining town areas.
4.
Ensure
that the provincial department assist the municipal workers who were residing
at the dilapidated hostel in Popo Molefe informal settlements with an
alternative accommodation whilst waiting for housing allocation process.
5.
Ensure
that the provincial department provide an appropriate sanitation facility to
Popo Molefe and Jacaranda informal settlements to maintain and restore their
dignity.
6.
Ensure
that the both the national and provincial departments furnish the Committee
with the provincial land audit report.
7.
Ensure
that the provincial department provides a detailed report on the informal
settlements upgrading programme.
8.
Report
on the outcomes of the meeting held in Parliament between the national
department, the MEC and the Mayors of the following municipalities i.e. Naledi,
Mafeking and Lekgetleng.
9.
Ensure
that mining sector extends its partnership with government to other parts of
the province and its model of delivery should be adopted across the
country.
10.
Ensure
that bulk services are installed prior any project commencement.
11.
Encourage
the province and municipalities to utilise expertise of professional councils
such as Council for Geo-science hence, the province is prone to dolomite
challenges.
12.
Ensure
that provincial department engage Eskom to address challenges of electricity in
particularly in Sunny way project, etc
13.
Encourage
and provide necessary support to the provincial department in spending the
human settlements grants that have been allocated to them.
14.
Present
the SIU report regarding the millions of public funds that were paid by the
provincial department to contractors as tranche payment including the R8
million allegedly build only one house.
15.
Ensure
that there is school transport for Swartruggens new settlement.
16.
Ensure
that public participation is seriously considered in all human settlements
delivery programmes as it is a Constitutional obligation
17.
Provide
a full report on challenges reported on Moses Kotane projects and the outcome
of the meeting suggested by the Committee between the province, local
municipality and the Member of Parliament, deployed in that constituency..
18.
Furnish a detailed report on disaster-affected
areas and the number of affected households including the budget allocated to
address such problems.
19.
Provide
the necessary support and advice to the local municipality that have under
spent their MIG especially on sanitation.
20.
Present
progress report on North West Housing Cooperation (NWHC) winding down process
quarterly.
21.
Ensure
that Housing Development Agency services are accessible as the province
encounters land challenges for human settlements development
The
Minister is requested to report progress made to address challenges and respond
to recommendation of the Committee 30 days after the adoption of the report by
the House.
Report
to be considered.
Documents
No related documents