Ultimatum after home building failure
NATIONAL Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu promised yesterday that “somebody’s head will be cut off” if the Eastern Cape Government does not create the capacity to spend its full housing budget by next year.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Dispatch, Sisulu tore into her provincial counterparts for their dismal efforts in trying to spend their allocated money for the financial year. “Housing in your province is in a crisis,” Sisulu declared.
“I would very much like to see (the money) spent in the Eastern Cape and I will give the money back next year if you build the capacity (to spend it properly).”
Then she delivered her ultimatum:
Sisulu said she had told the Eastern Cape government to create a separate dedicated housing department, which to date has not been done.
“They asked for time to restructure but by next year it must be in place. I will cut somebody’s head off if this does not happen. The housing backlogs are just too big in your province.”
Eastern Cape Housing and Local Government spokesperson Phumlani Mdolomba yesterday said the process to create two separate departments had already started.
The former deputy director in the Premier’s Office, Nandi Sishuga, has been appointed to head the new housing department and oversee the restructuring process.
“We have two organograms and there are two financial oversight reports. The process is in place,” said Mdolomba.
Sisulu’s stinging words come just days after it was announced the province would lose R443million of its housing budget as punishment for spending just over a quarter of its allotted funds so far.
The money will be dispersed to other provinces who have made headway in spending their budgets. KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape will get R100m each, and Northern Cape and Gauteng will get R123m and R220m respectively.
Sisulu said it could have been worse for the province as she had initially intended taking R500m, which translates into an approximate 10000 homes or shelter for 60000 people.
She said she had no option but to take the money if it was not being spent because other provinces showed an ability to provide houses for people who needed them. And apart from the lack of spending taking place, Sisulu was infuriated with the quality of homes being built by contractors.
She said she was shocked to see the lousy workmanship on low-cost projects and vowed to drag people responsible for shoddy building to court.
“We are spending too much of our budget on fixing houses that were badly built. Others (contractors) do not even finish the job and run away. But they are traceable and we have already started the legal process. We want to set an example and get our money back.”
Referring to a housing project in Ugie, Sisulu said she had asked the National Home Builders Regulation Council to conduct a forensic audit after residents complained at a presidential imbizo two months ago. It would be completed next week.
Sisulu visited the community at the weekend and told them about the audit of the 2000-home project. “If work is sub-standard and they are unwilling to rectify it, the company will be denied any further government contracts,” she said.
Provincial spokesperson Phaphama Mfenyana said they were committed to achieving Sisulu’s goals. - Daily Dispatch
NATIONAL Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu promised yesterday that “somebody’s head will be cut off” if the Eastern Cape Government does not create the capacity to spend its full housing budget by next year.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Dispatch, Sisulu tore into her provincial counterparts for their dismal efforts in trying to spend their allocated money for the financial year. “Housing in your province is in a crisis,” Sisulu declared.
“I would very much like to see (the money) spent in the Eastern Cape and I will give the money back next year if you build the capacity (to spend it properly).”
Then she delivered her ultimatum:
Sisulu said she had told the Eastern Cape government to create a separate dedicated housing department, which to date has not been done.
“They asked for time to restructure but by next year it must be in place. I will cut somebody’s head off if this does not happen. The housing backlogs are just too big in your province.”
Eastern Cape Housing and Local Government spokesperson Phumlani Mdolomba yesterday said the process to create two separate departments had already started.
The former deputy director in the Premier’s Office, Nandi Sishuga, has been appointed to head the new housing department and oversee the restructuring process.
“We have two organograms and there are two financial oversight reports. The process is in place,” said Mdolomba.
Sisulu’s stinging words come just days after it was announced the province would lose R443million of its housing budget as punishment for spending just over a quarter of its allotted funds so far.
The money will be dispersed to other provinces who have made headway in spending their budgets. KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape will get R100m each, and Northern Cape and Gauteng will get R123m and R220m respectively.
Sisulu said it could have been worse for the province as she had initially intended taking R500m, which translates into an approximate 10000 homes or shelter for 60000 people.
She said she had no option but to take the money if it was not being spent because other provinces showed an ability to provide houses for people who needed them. And apart from the lack of spending taking place, Sisulu was infuriated with the quality of homes being built by contractors.
She said she was shocked to see the lousy workmanship on low-cost projects and vowed to drag people responsible for shoddy building to court.
“We are spending too much of our budget on fixing houses that were badly built. Others (contractors) do not even finish the job and run away. But they are traceable and we have already started the legal process. We want to set an example and get our money back.”
Referring to a housing project in Ugie, Sisulu said she had asked the National Home Builders Regulation Council to conduct a forensic audit after residents complained at a presidential imbizo two months ago. It would be completed next week.
Sisulu visited the community at the weekend and told them about the audit of the 2000-home project. “If work is sub-standard and they are unwilling to rectify it, the company will be denied any further government contracts,” she said.
Provincial spokesperson Phaphama Mfenyana said they were committed to achieving Sisulu’s goals. - Daily Dispatch
1 comment:
This housing failure in the Eastern Cape puts pressure on the western Cape's housing demand - migration.
How the Housing Minister got high, rich and mighty - my Lexus says fuck the poor!
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