How do foreign nationals acquire RDP houses? Minister Simelane says recipients sell the homes

Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, has addressed the hot topic of foreign nationals living in RDP houses, which in law are meant for economically disadvantaged South African nationals.

In South Africa, an RDP house refers to a dwelling built and provided by the government to low-income families as part of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP).

The government describes the RDP housing programme as a socio-economic policy that was first proposed and passed in 1994 under the new leadership of then president Nelson Mandela. It was aimed at providing government-subsidised housing that transformed communities in need and provided upliftment out of homelessness and poverty.

Provision of decent houses to all South Africans has been one of the main objectives of the ANC government since it rose to power, replacing the apartheid government in 1994. Millions of houses and services stands have been provided, but the queue of citizens awaiting allocation is increasing rapidly, leading to tempers flaring.

On Wednesday, Simelane told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that there is an upheaval of complaints from community members about RDP houses occupied by foreign nationals. 

The minister clarified that an RDP house can be sold, but only to a deserving South African national.

“What does our policy say? Our policy says yes, after 10 years of occupation you can sell the house, but you need to sell it to a South African who is part of the policy cover,” said Simelane.

She said being South African does not mean any citizen can also buy an RDP house.

“When we go into every imbizo, in every township, we have people complaining, saying we hear you minister, you say we do not qualify, but how come unregistered and undocumented foreigners are staying in these new houses, not even old but new (RDP) houses. But you say we do not qualify and we are unemployed,” said Simelane.

“It looks unfair, yes, and it needs to be dealt with.”

She alluded that the government is working on a White Paper on housing, which reviews the entire housing policy. Simelane said the provision of free houses in South Africa has proven to be unsustainable.

“It touches on ownership as well. In which country would you allow a person to sell a house that he or she has not built? That then means you have means to accommodate yourself. Give it to somebody who cannot have means, possibly,” she said.

The minister explained that recipients are permitted to make renovations to extend the small RDP houses if their finances allow.

For the houses sold to foreign nationals, or South Africans who do not qualify to be in the RDP houses, Simelane said that on the government system, the premises would remain indicating the original recipient of the house. 

The new owners from the illegal transaction do not change the ownership of the house.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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