Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has called on the North West Department of Human Settlements to continue ensuring that housing projects are completed on time and within budget.
Simelane made the remarks during a two-day oversight visit to the province aimed at assessing progress in housing delivery, strengthening oversight and engaging communities on human settlements programmes.
“We promised people that we will finish the houses on time, and we should keep that promise, the province must ensure that the contractors meet their deadlines and those that faulter must be held accountable,” Simelane said.
During the visit, Simelane, accompanied by North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Gaoage Molapisi and local mayors, handed over houses in Ventersdorp as part of a housing project expected to deliver 2 500 units by October 2026.
The delegation also handed over title deeds to beneficiaries in the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality under the Title Deeds Fridays campaign.
The Minister urged the provincial government to intensify efforts to unblock stalled housing projects and accelerate the registration and transfer of title deeds.
According to the report presented to the Minister, several housing projects have stalled because of challenges related to dolomitic ground conditions and inadequate bulk infrastructure. The title deeds restoration programme has also been affected by untraceable beneficiaries, incomplete township establishment processes, deceased beneficiaries and the illegal occupation of houses.
The North West government aims to transfer 2 450 title deeds to qualifying beneficiaries during the 2026/27 financial year.
Simelane said the transfer of title deeds remains essential to restoring dignity, providing security of tenure and promoting economic inclusion.
While Simelane welcomed the intervention, she warned against disintegrated planning within the spheres of government and underscored the importance of effective contract management to ensure contractors adhere to their contractual obligations.
Simelane said government remained committed to directing resources towards programmes with greatest social impact.
Molapisi said funding allocated to the province through the Human Settlements Development Grant and the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant will be used to accelerate housing delivery and improve living conditions for communities in need across the province. – SAnews.gov.za
