The R6,061 billion budget allocated to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements may sound impressive, but a 20% reduction in housing subsidies leaves the province’s indigent getting the short end of the stick once again.
This reduction, coupled with an alarming 88% cut in capital asset payments, signals a drastic decline in the Department’s ability to invest in new infrastructure and land.
Another cause for concern noted by the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is that there is no sustainable plan to finance bulk infrastructure. Houses are being built without water, electricity or sanitation.
This is not only a waste of public funds, but a profound betrayal of people’s trust in government. Additionally, the Department is plagued by issues such as the illegal occupation of projects, significant delays in transferring title deeds and allegations of corruption in housing allocations.
The Gauteng government also faces significant fiscal constraints, with negative cash balances projected.
This means government cannot simply keep throwing more money at the problem. There needs to be an insistence upon firm accountability, unprecedented efficiency and radical collaboration.
The Freedom Front Plus demands concrete, measurable plans from the Department that adequately address the following:
• Immediate and sustainable provision of bulk infrastructure.
• Aggressive strategies to combat corruption and ensure transparent housing allocations. Meaningful and enforceable measures to facilitate municipal financial recovery and good governance.
• A decisive approach to completing projects and addressing illegal occupations.
The people of Gauteng deserve better. They deserve a government that delivers on its promises of decent housing and functional local services.
