The Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi. Picture: Thobile Mathonsi/African News Agency (ANA)
THE MINISTER of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has committed to ensuring that incomplete housing projects are finalised to allow beneficiaries in Colesberg to occupy their homes without further delay.
During a district development model community imbizo and service fair at the Toto Mabaya Stadium in Colesberg on December 8, Kubayi stated that the Department of Human Settlements would consider increasing the budget allocation in the Northern Cape in the 2023/24 financial year in an effort to deliver more houses to beneficiaries in the Province.
She added that citizens over the age of 70 would be given priority on the housing waiting list.
“These are our mothers and fathers who raised us. They deserve our utmost attention,” said Kubayi.
During a site visit to the Oubox housing project in the Umsobomvu district she noted that incomplete housing units were vandalised or illegally occupied.
“It is unfortunate that houses have not been finished since 2016 and the risk is that some of them may end up being used as hives for criminal activities. The illegal occupation of houses disadvantages the rightful owners and can have serious legal consequences for offenders.”
Kubayi indicated that the national and provincial departments of Human Settlements would work together to complete the housing projects.
“Most importantly, we must pay more attention to increasing the number of homes built to cater for people who qualify, alongside other amenities.”
The minister, together with the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Bentley Vass, the mayor of Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, Rhoode Itumeleng, the mayor of Umsobomvu Local Municipality, Mzwandile Toto, and the mayor of Emthanjeni Local Municipality, Lulamile Nkumbi, handed over title deeds to beneficiaries of the fully subsidised government houses during the imbizo.