Media Statement: Delays in Activating Emergency Housing Response Fund Unacceptable

Parliament, Wednesday, 9 October 2024- The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements is unhappy with delays in activating the Emergency Housing Response Fund in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) as it leaves the affected communities unprotected from the elements. The committee concluded the first day of its week-long oversight visit to KZN and received presentations from the national Department of Human Settlements, the KZN Department of Human Settlements and the City of uMhlathuze Municipality.

"It is patently unacceptable that the current emergency housing regime appears to be ineffective and inflexible to the needs on the ground. The nature of a disaster requires speed and flexibility to ensure that people are protected, but the fact that the fund is administered at national level exposes the fund to inefficiencies and bottlenecks that have a direct negative impact on the lives of the people," Mr Nocks Seabi, the Chairperson of the committee said.

The committee was informed that in some cases the verification of beneficiaries and assessment of damaged houses have taken 10 to 12 months or longer. For example, the residents of various townships in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality who experienced a storm in June 2023 affecting about 1 821 beneficiaries are only now being assessed by the National Home Builders Registration Council. Meanwhile, the housing units affected by strong winds in Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in September 2023 are only now undergoing verification.

The committee has urged the department to develop a functional mechanism to ensure that the fund is responsive to the needs of people affected by disasters, as the current scheme is unworkable. "As we enter the rainy season in the country, we shudder to think what will happen in cases of disaster. Speed and flexibility should be at the centre of the response, and currently neither is visible," Mr Seabi emphasised.

Meanwhile, the committee was disappointed by the responses it received from the National Department of Human Settlements on the many questions raised on the provision of houses in KZN. "Oversight is an important pillar of service delivery, and it assists the department to reflect on shortcomings. It is not purely a fault-finding exercise and the inability by the department to be frank with the committee is disconcerting. We have instructed the department to improve presentations to the committee to ensure effective oversight," Mr Seabi emphasised.

With regard to the delivery of housing in KZN, the committee noted with concern the negative impact of business forums in delaying projects in the province. The tendency of these forums to demand 30% of the project value leads to project stoppages and undermines the good intentions of such projects.

"This challenge requires a harsh and collective response from law enforcement agencies in the country, as it is nothing short of lawlessness. It deprives communities of the little hope of receiving quality houses and only serves the selfish needs of a few," Mr Seabi noted.

It is also concerning that there seems to be a persistent challenge with coordination between different spheres of government, with the inability of municipalities to provide bulk infrastructure to enable the completion of projects timeously. The committee has maintained its view that there must better coordination and planning between spheres of government to ensure that the development of infrastructure is holistic in nature and better coordinated, as proposed by the District Development Model.

Also, while the committee noted the impact of budget cuts on project implementation, it believes coordination and enhanced project management will eradicate delays and financial overruns.

Meanwhile, the committee visited the Empangeni Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) Phase 2, which was set to accelerate and sustain delivery of housing on the KZN North Coast. The committee was disappointed with the progress of the project as it was informed that due to financial constraints, the contractor can only build three houses per month. Also concerning for the committee was the information that the structures' build does not comply with National Home Builders Registration Council specifications.

"Compliance with building standards is sacrosanct, as it will ensure the safety of the people who will stay in those houses. While the provincial department has assured the committee that it is already reviewing its budget to ensure acceleration of construction, the committee highlighted that compliance should be a primary concern," Mr Seabi said.

The committee also visited the Dumisani Makhaye Village Phase 6 and 8 IRDP and was impressed by the quality of workmanship and the available budget to complete the project. Despite this, the committee urged project delivery be standardised to ensure that all projects are delivered timeously and with the same quality of workmanship.

The committee will today continue with visit to various project sites in Maphumulo Local Municipality and KwaDukuza Local Municipality.

Details of the visit (Day 2)
Date: Wednesday, 9 October 2024
Time: 09:00
Venue: Qadi Rural Housing Projects

Details of the visit (Day 2)
Date: Wednesday, 9 October 2024
Time: 13:00
Venue: Sihle Phakathi Informal Settlement Upgrade

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: [email protected]

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