Parliament, Monday, 16 May 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has concluded the Free State leg of public consultations on the Housing Consumer Protection Bill. The committee conducted three hearings in Botshabelo, Bethlehem and Frankfort, where there was overwhelming support for the Bill.
Nonetheless, many participants complained about the possible failure to implement and enforce the Bill, which could undermine its intentions and effectiveness. These concerns were premised on the perception that there are not enough building inspectors to ensure adherence to its building standards. To allay these concerns, the Department of Human Settlements highlighted that one of the Bill’s primary functions is to streamline the work of inspectors and ensure that inspections at all levels of government are coordinated and regular.
There was also a general concern that many RDP houses have been built on wetlands, which has contributed to their rapid deterioration. This concern also led people to question if this will affect the ability of homeowners to claim against the warranty fund, which could negate the extension of the claim period from two to five years.
Public hearing participants also emphasised that to ensure compliance with the Bill’s regulations around membership of the National Home Builders Registration Council, the council should be made more accessible. They were also concerned that the South African Bureau of Standards is based in Pretoria, which makes it difficult to adhere to building material standards.
The majority of small and medium enterprises welcomed the training component of the Bill, as this has the potential to transform the construction industry, which is still a concern for many.
“We are generally satisfied with the quality of inputs we received from the people of the Free State and will take into consideration those inputs as we deliberate on the Bill. While the hearings were about the Bill, the committee received a number of complaints from residents, ranging from RDP beneficiary list manipulation to substandard RDP houses, concerns the committee promised to take up with the Minister in the course of its oversight work. We would like to thank every individual who took the time to make their inputs known and bring to life the mantra of a Parliament of the People, by the People,” said Ms Machwene Semenya, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee will now move to Gauteng as it continues its nationwide public hearings on the Bill.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, MS MACHWENE SEMENYA.
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