The DA in Mpumalanga is concerned that Over a million people in Mpumalanga are in dire need of adequate housing as the Human Settlements Department keeps failing to close the ever-increasing backlog of 275 000.
Currently, Mpumalanga has a population of 4.4 million, and at an average of 4 people per family (as recorded by the Michael Bauer Research International) and a housing backlog of 275 000, it means that 1.1 million people in the province are in dire need of decent accommodation.
With every year passing, Mpumalanga is plunging deeper into the housing crisis. In its November 2022 report, the Human Settlements Department revealed that the housing backlog in the province increased by 50 080 units in the last financial year: from 224 920 to the current 275 000.
Taking the above into account, it is completely unacceptable that the current Report of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs revealed that whilst the housing department only managed to achieve 50% of targets set during the fourth quarter of 2022/2023, it incurred an overspending of R222 779 000.
In addition to the above, the committee noted that although the Department spent 99% of its budget for 2022/23 financial year, it failed to attain most of its targets.
With reference to the fourth quarter, the report goes on further to note that housing development targets reported the second lowest target attainment as the Department only managed to achieve 20% of the targets which were set. Being cognisant of the fact that our housing backlog grew by 128 103 houses since 2016, it is completely unacceptable that:
- Out of 5 military veterans’ units- only one was built
- Out of 4 social amenities which were planned- only one was built
- And out of 300 community residential units- only 52 was built
Considering the above, The DA calls on the MEC for the Department of Human Settlements, Speedy Mashilo, urging that he address the shortcomings of his department. He must also devise a strategy that improves the performance of housing delivery in the province.