1. Ingquza Hill Local Municipality
Housing report to the Portfolio Committee on the 15th January 2008

2. 1. Introduction
The municipality has for the past 10 years managed and implemented 2 housing projects
Both of these projects are at the ‘urban areas’ in Flagstaff and Lusikisiki
Joe Slovo settlement in Lusikisiki-1117 units
Thabo Mbeki settlement in flagstaff-503 units
Two rural housing projects implemented by O.R. Tambo District Municipality
Mantlaneni ward units
Nkozo ward units

3. 2. Project status Joe Slovo settlements-1117 units
Approved in 1999 under the Lusikisiki TLC
1111 units have been completed and 6 others have various problems including slope, land invasion and encroachment of the nearby school
Roads were constructed
Sanitation system is pit latrine
Water is available in some areas of the project
Local municipality has provided 5 stand pipes servicing 500 households
No electricity

4. 2. Project status ….. Joe Slovo…… Challenges
Transfers have not been stated due to township validity problems
The matter is under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU)
Challenges
The issue of title deeds for beneficiaries remains a major challenge
Management and processing of beneficiaries is also a challenge because many houses are currently occupied by persons who are not necessarily the approved beneficiaries

5. 2. Project status Challenges
The Township validity has since expired and as such a new process of Township establishment has to be done and the municipality has no funds for that.
It may also include a process of relocating the beacons which is costly and once more the municipality does not have funds for this.

6. 2. Project status Thabo Mbeki settlement
Approved in 1998 under Flagstaff TLC and implementation started in 2000
Project very slow; 10 years on and yet not close to completion
Declared ‘blocked’ by the Provincial Government in 2003/04
At the time the Municipality was under section 139 of the Constitution

7. 2. Project status Thabo Mbeki
258 units completed albeit with serious defects as a result of poor monitoring and poor workmanship
245 units still outstanding
The municipality has made attempts to get provincial intervention to resolve the problems
Municipality has little information because file were seized as part of the SIU investigation
Still waiting for NHBRC report for rectification process

8. 2. Project status Thabo Mbeki-services
Gravel roads were constructed and have since degenerated
Water pipes were laid but not used and have degenerated
Sanitation was designed for septic tanks and holes were dug but no septic tanks were buried
The holes for septic tank are dangerous
No electricity

9. 2. Project status Thabo Mbeki-challenges Transfers not yet done
24 houses affected by storm on July 2007 and reported to the Provincial government but not yet attended to
Sanitation a health hazard
Township establishment problems
Support from the province not entirely coordinated
Communication between the Municipality and the Department needs to improve

10. 3. Rural housing programme
Nkozo (300)
195 units completed
40 on roof
15 on wall plate
46 at slab

11. 3. Rural housing-Nkozo Challenges
Access to material is a huge challenge in terms of cost
Delivery to the rural area because of roads that are sometimes not designed to carry heavy load vehicles and at times roads are generally not good.
Access to water for construction is also a challenge.
Poorly organises building teams and high level of turn over of technical staff (project coordinators)
Topography on the project site is not easily accessible
Security of material is sometimes a challenge

12. 3. Mantlaneni-300 units Progress 88 units completed 2 on roof
14 wall plate
10 at slab
183 still outstanding

13. 3. Nkozo
Challenges
Access to material is a huge challenge in terms of cost
Delivery to rural areas because of roads
Access to water for construction
Poorly organised building teams
Topography of the construction site
Security of building material

14. 4. Since the visit in October 2007
Communication with the Provincial department for the construction of 11 units started by Minister and Members
Formal correspondence expressing concern on the slow pace of implementation
Arranged a meeting with the survey and planning directorate to assist in Town Planning and Survey matters
Obtained engineering designs from the consultant

15. 5. Conclusion
Reviewal of the HSP with the assistance of the department
Improve communication and support from the province and the District
Look at finance administration problems between the municipality and the Department
Municipality would love to be prioritised in terms of the BNG projects
Support from both Provincial and National department in relation to developing housing market for the middle income earners
Subsidy allocation for rural housing remains a matter that needs careful consideration noting the problem of cost of transport to rural areas that eats up the subsidy for building a descent house