Pretoria – The Department of Human Settlements will next year launch a biometric system for the N2 Gateway Project to ensure houses are given to and occupied by their rightful owners, says Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
Minister Sisulu made the announcement on Thursday during a handover of more than 2 000 title deeds and three houses at the N2 Gateway Housing Project in Cape Town.
"In 2016 we are going to launch a biometric system to ensure the houses we are giving out today and those we have handed over in the past are occupied by their rightful owners," said Minister Sisulu.
With the biometric system, a beneficiary will be registered biometrically and there will be regular check-ups to see if the people are still in their houses.
The Department of Human Settlements -- through the implementing agency, the Housing Development Agency (HDA) -- has delivered more than 14 000 housing units since the launch of the N2 Gateway Project in 2005.
The project is expected to deliver 23 000 housing opportunities to more than 110 000 households.
Minister Sisulu said the department is hoping to close the project by the 2017 financial year.
“This is our target, which means contractors will have to work around the clock to ensure we deliver on our target," she said.
The Minister also urged N2 Gateway homeowners, who received the title deeds, to keep them safe.
“A title deed is a guarantee that a house belongs to you. My message to you is that you look after your houses. This is your responsibility and you cannot outsource it," Minister Sisulu told homeowners.
To date, there are about 9 015 title deeds registered for the N2 Gateway project. About 6 384 title deeds have already been issued to beneficiaries,
Minister Sisulu, who was accompanied by Human Settlements Deputy Minister Zou Kota-Fredericks and MMC for Human Settlements in the City of Cape Town Benedicta van Minnen, also welcomed 100 Youth Brigade members recruited in Cape Town.
The Youth Brigade is a product of a Youth Accord signed in 2014 by the Department of Human Settlements and youth organisations.
The members of the Youth Brigade have undergone soft skills training in the Free State province. – SAnews.gov.za
