Simelane defends budget amid calls for removal
The minister has promised decisive action to tackle the country's housing backlogs and to upgrade informal settlements.
Simelane says one of their key priorities is to address project stoppages, which have slowed progress.
She acknowledged that growth in delivery has been inactive, but insists the department is committed to turning the tide.
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Addressing the Budget Vote on Wednesday, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane highlighted illegal property occupation as a significant impediment to South Africa's development objectives. She said that during the current financial year, they will develop a Policy Framework for the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from an Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) to give effect to the latter's amendments. 'We will also embark on countrywide stakeholder consultations and engagement sessions with various sector partners in the human settlements value chain on the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from an Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) draft policy,' Simelane said. The housing backlog stands at over 2.4 million households in need of adequate housing in South Africa as per the National Housing Register. In the five years between 2024-2029, Simelane said working with all their strategic partners, they have undertaken to deliver 237 000 Breaking New Ground (BNG) units, 314 000 serviced stands, 140 000 subsidies disbursed through various housing interventions to the missing middle, upgrading 4 075 informal settlements, 15 000 social housing units, register and handover 80 000 title deeds and improve the management of available rental stock by achieving a 95% tenanting rate and a 90% collection rate in social rental stock. ASAQS said that challenges that are continuing to affect the South African property sector are the procurement processes, citing that there should be transparency on the procurement policies, and the country needs to be aware of the companies that are constantly appointed. It said the delay in the payment of service providers continues to be an obstacle to the progression of the economy of the country as this leads to companies closing and some employees' salaries being delayed. Tsolo said the DHS should aim to achieve a property management system that integrates with the asset management system and procurement system, thereby ensuring transparency to alleviate corruption. In the Budget Vote speech, Simelane said that a few years ago, the Department developed the Housing Subsidy System (HSS), a portal that is supposed to serve as a housing needs register data bank and information system. However, she said it is a legacy system which is not compatible with the latest technologies and lacks the critical component of citizen engagement. 'Working with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), we are in the process of developing the National Digital Human Settlements Management System, which will modernise the way we manage human settlements data and improve coordination across departments. "This initiative will address current inefficiencies by providing a centralised platform for better resource management and service delivery,' Simelane said. She added that this system aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the management of construction projects, ensuring the timely completion of projects and accurate allocation of resources. 'The integrated software solution aims to streamline and automate various processes related to managing human settlements. It will help government housing authorities, urban planners, and city administrators to efficiently manage housing, land, infrastructure development, housing beneficiary lists and related aspects of human settlements. "The development of a comprehensive, integrated online National Digital Human Settlements Management System (NDHS MS) will further enable citizens to apply online for a housing product and be informed about the outcome of their applications,' said Simelane.
