MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA Lebogang Maile, has vowed that the Gauteng government will use the SAHRC report as an instrument to measure its strength and capabilities to meaningfully improve the conditions of communities living in informal settlements; and accelerate the provision of basic services.
Yesterday, March 23, 2021, the SAHRC released a report “Towards Ensuring the Right to Adequate Housing through the Upgrading of Informal Settlements”. The Report has showed the poorest record of progress compared to one Metro in the provision of basic services to targeted poorer communities.
The broad thrust of the report was looking at the upgrading or formalization of informal settlements located in the three (3) Metro’s in Gauteng province. The report was commissioned in lieu of Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG) budgets given to the three (3) Metros in Gauteng province, namely City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni for the 2020/21 financial year.
Maile said he will in the interim study the report, including its findings in order to formulate a workable plan for consideration by Gauteng’s Executive Council (Exco).
“The Report is not only timely, but glaringly reflects our persistent concerns regarding spending patterns and service delivery records by our Municipalities,” he said.
Maile has committed to feature the Report in his monthly schedules with Mayors in order to turn the situation around and find workable solutions.
“The findings of the Report will more importantly invoke consciousness amongst public representatives to put-aside their party affiliation in the best interest of our communities. Inevitably, our success and failures will be measured based on our actions post this Report. We are confident acting collectively we can deliver on our constitutional obligations,” said Maile.
The Report amongst others highlights uneven project targets not being met by Tshwane and Johannesburg. Whilst Ekurhuleni has demonstrated good progress in providing basic services.
“As Gauteng Government we will continue to work tirelessly in order to improve the living conditions of communities residing in informal settlements across the province and restore their human dignity as enjoined by the Constitution,” added Maile.
