Team Gauteng Admits To Major Shortcomings In Delivering Houses

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura and Human Settlements MEC, Paul Mashatile, both admitted to major shortcomings in delivering sufficient housing opportunities to indigent residents in the province, during the debate on the Premiers SOPA.

No details have been provided on how MEC Mashatile will solve the ever growing housing problem in the Province and what plans are in place to roll out “mega city” projects.

As has become common practice, speeches in the legislature are mostly overloaded with promises and grand visions, but severely lack planning and detail.

Premier Makhura blamed the lack of delivery on in-migration in order to soften the real cause of inaction, incompetence and lack of accountability in the Gauteng Human Settlements department.

It remains unclear from the location of these mega cities as to whether this initiative is merely a reinforcement of apartheid-type planning, as the manner of spatial integration and the incorporation of economic nodes is uncertain at present.

To refer to the providing of housing opportunities over the last 20 years and not deal with the current challenges is a carefully orchestrated way by the Premier to divert the current non-delivery and failure of this department seriously lacking in direction.

The slow pace transfer of title deeds to homeowners compounds the problems faced by this department and robs the residents of Gauteng the opportunity to access finance, loans for small business and to participate in the economy.

Premier Makhura and MEC Mashatile must ensure that grand visions and promises made are accompanied with sold plans and roll-out strategies.

 

Media enquiries:

Mervyn Cirota MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Human Settlements

060 558 8312

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