Dear Editor
It was revealed through a reply by Minister Tertuis Simmers to a DA parliamentary question, that the Provincial Department of Human Settlements has been providing training to municipalities across the province on the management of serviced sites.
The Amended Western Cape Provincial Framework Policy for Selection of Housing Beneficiaries in Ownership-based Subsidy Projects was adopted by the Provincial Department in July 2022. According to National Directives, local governments and provincial departments are encouraged to reduce the number of top structures they provide while increasing the proportion of serviced sites in their human settlement projects. This work has been done across the province by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements and is still in progress.
In regional forums hosted by the Department, municipalities received briefings on how to carry out their mandates as far as serviced sites are concerned. Additionally, it was stressed that local governments needed to begin the emphasis on the provision of serviced sites.
MPP Matlhodi Maseko says: “I will invite the Provincial Department to the Standing Committee on Human Settlements to consider proposals from the committee on how to improve serviced sites delivery in order to further ensure that municipalities understand what is required of them in carrying out their serviced sites objectives.
I will also write to Minister Simmers to request that the Department produce brochures and information booklets with all the required information so they may be given to municipalities across the province.
In order to increase the effectiveness of service delivery, the DA in the Western Cape will make a coordinated effort to ensure that the municipal and provincial spheres of government cultivate good working relationships.”
Regards
Matlhodi Maseko, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Human Settlements
