The DA has always supported the housing budget in what we now know as the misguided belief that relatively decent housing would be provided. Although I was aware of problems with corruption and the quality of workmanship, I did not think it happened on such a large scale. It will appear that money budgeted to provide adequate shelter for vulnerable people has largely, since 1994, disappeared down a black hole.
According to a report from the national Department of Human Settlements, up to 70% of houses built between 1994 and 2010 will require some form of rectification or will have to be demolished. The cost at the value today is estimated to be R64,4 billion. If this is successful - say, over the next five years, which I doubt - the final cost could very well exceed R100 billion.
The hon Minister has rather reluctantly admitted during the budget debate in April that the provision of subsidised housing in South Africa is in a crisis. Notwithstanding this, he has thus far failed to provide the portfolio committee with a credible plan to address this failure - now called the rectification programme - while still continuing to fulfil the responsibility of providing new housing for the hundreds of thousands still on the waiting list.
I therefore cannot with a clear conscience recommend to my party that we support this budget. Hence, the DA will not support Budget Vote No 31. [Applause.]