Oversight visits at Amalia, Schweizer Reneke and Glaudina in Mamusa Local Municipality.

The Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs conducted oversight visits at Amalia, Schweizer Reneke and Glaudina in Mamusa Local Municipality. This forms part of the Legislature’s oversight week in various municipalities under the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. The program is aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation and to promote accountability and transparency in government.

During the program, Members of the Provincial Legislature interact with different provincial departments and their MECs; Mayors; Accounting Officers; and members of the Municipal Public Accounts Committees.
The blocked housing projects are part of the first RDP houses that were supposed to be built in 2000 where the then Department of Local Government and Housing send financial trenches to municipalities for construction of RDP houses. Some of the RDP houses were never built as stipulated.

Committee Chairperson, Hon. Aaron Motswana said the Department of Human Settlements should engage municipalities on resolving the challenges faced by the beneficiaries. “Although money was sent to the municipalities for construction of these RDP houses, unfortunately they were never built. The beneficiaries cannot apply for new RDP houses as the system of the department indicates that they benefitted although it is not the case on the ground.

“There is a need for urgent intention between the department and municipality on helping these beneficiaries who have waited for houses for more than 23 years. The department must also submit a comprehensive report on how it will ensure that the RDP houses are built,” said Hon. Motswana.