Parliament, Wednesday, 11 March 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has welcomed early signs of progress by the North West (NW) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial governments in implementing recommendations issued by the committee following its oversight visits to the two provinces. The committee said these developments signal a positive shift towards addressing persistent challenges in the delivery of human settlements programmes.
“The two provinces have not only displayed a level of responsiveness but also demonstrated accountability in actively addressing issues raised by the committee. We have always emphasised that oversight is not punitive in nature but seeks to correct missteps to improve service delivery.
These positive responses provide assurance that residents of the two provinces will experience the benefits of Parliament’s oversight work,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee noted encouraging progress in the steps taken by the two provinces to address challenges previously identified in the delivery of human settlements programmes. These include efforts to improve project management, strengthen oversight of housing developments, and enhance coordination between provincial departments, municipalities and other stakeholders responsible for housing delivery.
An example of the improved collaboration is the decision by the KZN Department of Human Settlements to work closely with municipalities to ensure that bulk services are developed prior to the commencement of any human settlements project. The committee has consistently emphasised the need for comprehensive service development and a move away from building houses without the necessary infrastructure for water, sanitation and electricity.
“The decision to commence projects only where bulk infrastructure is in place will help ensure that beneficiaries are not frustrated by the absence of basic services upon completion of housing projects. However, this requires active and continuous engagement between municipalities and the Department of Human Settlements to ensure that projects are not delayed. The District Development Model provides an important platform for collaborative and long-term planning that must be fully utilised,” Mr Seabi said.
The committee further emphasised that the implementation of its recommendations is essential to ensuring that housing projects are delivered efficiently and that beneficiaries receive dignified housing within reasonable timeframes. Addressing historical backlogs and improving governance within the human settlements sector remain critical priorities.
In this regard, the committee welcomed assurances that eight blocked projects in KZN are being unblocked by the provincial government, while the remaining eight are being addressed by the local sphere of government. In the NW, the provincial department has informed the committee that the procurement of contractors has been concluded for various projects aimed at unblocking developments that have stalled for some time.
“The completion of blocked projects remains a strategic priority for the committee, and we will continue to monitor progress closely. We appreciate the efforts being made to remove the impediments that led to these projects stalling and urge all stakeholders to work together to resolve any remaining challenges,” Mr Seabi said.
While welcoming the progress, the committee cautioned that the implementation of these measures must be sustained and measurable. The committee will continue to monitor developments to ensure that commitments made by the provinces translate into tangible improvements for communities awaiting housing opportunities.
The committee also encouraged other provinces to respond proactively to oversight findings and recommendations, noting that accountability and responsiveness are key to strengthening service delivery within the human settlements sector.
The committee remains committed to exercising its oversight role to ensure that government programmes aimed at providing adequate housing are implemented effectively and that public resources are utilised responsibly.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, MR NOCKS SEABI
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