Thank you Hon Chair

Hon. MEC, I take this opportunity to congratulate you and your hardworking officials in obtaining the additional

R308,377 million for the HSDG.

Hon. MEC, this is based on effort to deliver housing given demand but my concern is that this achievement should have translated into a higher incremental budget allocated from treasury, in view of the ongoing housing protests.

In this regard, there is a need for this department to cooperate with the PPP standing committee on petition’s received where communities are frustrated with outstanding land claims and the promise of RDP or other housing by municipalities; yet when municipal officials are called to account eg. Umgungundlovu, other explanations indicating delays by human settlements for the housing verification process and title deed handing over; means that more has to be done quicker in areas like Willowfontein; although Copesville was long, long verdue, a project close to the late hon. Mr Rajbansi’s heart.

The Glebelands Hostel violence, with the residents calling in the UNHRW for help is a plea that this department and other stakeholders cannot ignore.

What we cannot afford in SA currently is a situation where our Hon. National Finance Minister, is engaging with ratings agencies to prevent SA slipping into junk bond status and the sparking off of violence due to human settlements engagement delay, that will then see international bodies intervening.

I am confident, Hon. MEC that you department is capable of intervening timeously to bring stability, as you stated that even the National Department now accepts that housing is key for building families and therefore our Nation.

Thank you.

Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi

MPL KZN Legislature