Parliament, Friday, 22 November 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements yesterday interacted with the MAWIGA (Mabopane, Winterveld and Ga-Rankuwa) petitioners and assured them that it was committed to finalising their matter.
The MAWIGA submitted a petition related to maladministration allegations against the City of Tshwane and North West Housing Corporation officials for illegally selling and transferring their properties without their consent. The petition was submitted to the 6th Parliament committee, and the 7th Parliament committee took over the matter. In a virtual meeting held on 30 October 2024, the committee resolved to meet the petitioners personally to find solutions to their challenges. “The meeting today was to engage the petitioners further and find out if there has been some intervention from the Gauteng and North West departments of human settlements and the North West Housing Corporation,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, the committee's Chairperson.
“It is thus disappointing that no tangible progress has been made since the meeting on 30 October 2024. As a result, the committee has communicated with the North West and Gauteng human settlements department that the departments will be expected to give a status update when the committee meets MECs tomorrow. The urgency of finding solutions to this matter is critical considering the length of time it has taken,” Mr Seabi said.
Meanwhile, the committee met with the Department of Human Settlements to discuss strategies to deal with the illegal occupation of houses, illegal occupation of land, and illegal sales of state-subsidised houses. The committee appreciated the intended legislative review of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act (1998) and the Unlawful Occupation of Land Act to close legislative gaps. The committee has also emphasised the importance of enforcing the current laws as the review is undertaken to prevent continued illegal land occupation. “The continued lack of enforcement capacities and early warning systems continue to be the Achilles heel for local government, and this must be remedied,” Mr Seabi said.
Above all, the committee has called for collaboration between spheres of government in combating the illegal occupation of land. To prevent illegal invasion, the roleplayers must actively play their specific roles collaboratively, which is currently not the case. Despite this assertion, the committee argued for improved implementation of transformed special planning and ensuring that housing opportunities are made available to prevent illegal occupation of land, which sometimes occurs in land not conducive for occupation.
The committee also urged all stakeholders to contribute to increased public awareness of legal housing options and the consequences of illegal occupation. “Effective communication can serve as a deterrent for illegal occupation. The three spheres of government have a direct role in this regard, and if not implemented adequately, then illegal occupation will continue,” Mr Seabi said.
Meanwhile, the committee maintains that the intention to build capacity for municipalities to enhance local monitoring, enforcement and public awareness is a welcomed intervention but requires full implementation.
Regarding the housing allocation system, the committee believes that the current list of challenges will remain until a fully transparent and electronic system is in place. “Housing allocation must be transparent to ensure public trust and remove the perception of corruption. The department must continue to work to achieve this critical system,” Mr Seabi stressed.
In an effort to find holistic solutions to the above challenges and many other challenges in the human settlements sphere, the committee will tomorrow convene an extraordinary meeting with the Department of Human Settlements, Members of Executive Councils responsible for human settlements from all the nine provinces and senior officials from both national and provinces. The meeting will focus on strategies and plans to resolve challenges like blocked projects, eradication of asbestos roof houses, eradication of mud houses, managing beneficiary lists and resolving challenges with the emergency housing fund programme.
Details of the meeting
Date: Friday, 22 November 2024
Time: 09:00
Venue: Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo
Topic: Meeting with MECs
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS MR NOCKS SEABI
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour