In response to rising complaints regarding the unauthorised sale of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses in KwaZulu-Natal, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma has pledged to take decisive action against any form of criminality associated with these government-built homes.

The RDP initiative is designed to provide low-income South African families with access to decent housing.

On Friday, Duma highlighted a rise in reports over the past few weeks from community members and councillors who are alarmed by the illegal transactions involving RDP houses.

“In particular, there has been a groundswell of complaints about the illegal selling of RDP houses to illegal foreign nationals in various parts of the province,” said Duma.

He said the department has also received a letter from the representatives of the March-and-March organisation in Nquthu within the Umzinyathi District Municipality requesting that he intervene as the executive authority.

“I am committed to acting firmly and decisively against any form of criminality to protect innocent communities. We build houses for South Africans in need of shelter, not for profit by greedy and irresponsible individuals,” said Duma.

The MEC urged the people of KwaZulu-Natal to unite with the department in publicly condemning these irresponsible and greedy acts.

Duma appealed to anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of RDP houses to report such activities using the following call centre numbers: WhatsApp: 060 1055505 and Toll-free: 080 005 5505.

“For the record, as the department, we will never turn a blind eye to complaints and expressions of anger against the alleged use of RDP houses for illegal activities such as selling drugs and hideouts for hitmen and other criminals,” he stated.

In this regard, the department undertakes to work with law enforcement agencies to flush out criminals from our human settlements, he said.

“Critically, we wish to send a strong message that it is a criminal offence to sell the RDP house within the first eight years of ownership without permission from the Department of Human Settlements,” warned Duma.

Duma further warned that those who illegally sell their RDP houses “will forfeit their homes”.

He noted that in terms of the Housing Amendment Act, any beneficiary who intends to sell the RDP house within or after eight years should approach the Department of Human Settlements.

“The department will inherit the property and work with the municipalities to hand it over to a qualifying member of the community on the waiting list,” he said.

Duma also committed to collaborating on this matter with the South African Human Rights Commission, Public Protector, and Auditor-General of South Africa.

“We want to account for every cent of South Africans and to show public accountability,” he said.

According to reports, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane noted a surge in complaints regarding RDP houses occupied by foreign nationals this week.

Simelane also clarified that RDP houses can only be sold to deserving South African nationals who are part of the policy cover.

Simelane noted that during izimbizos, residents complain about unregistered foreign nationals occupying new RDP houses while unemployed citizens are denied.

The minister also alluded that the government is working on a White Paper on housing, which reviews the entire housing policy, adding that the provision of free houses in South Africa has proven to be unsustainable.

Thapelo Mohapi of Abahlali baseMjondolo reportedly stated that meaningful government consultation with house recipients would prevent the sale or rental of RDP houses.

He linked informal settlements near cities to people seeking economic opportunities and avoiding travel costs, attributing this to the government’s failure to engage meaningfully on housing developments, often relocating residents far from economic hubs.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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