Hon Deputy Chairperson, hon Ministers, hon members, officials from the department, low-cost housing is one of government's priorities. Millions of poor people are still living in informal settlements and overcrowded townships.
In the 2013 state of the nation address, the President identified the following objectives: improving water and sanitation; securing the gap market; the provision of renewable energy, solar energy and solar water geysers to all low-cost houses, and 315 000 solar geysers fitted in the houses of poor households; the need to improve infrastructure, namely water, roads and electricity infrastructure; and investing in the drivers of job creation, namely infrastructure development, agriculture and the green economy.
This position needs urgent attention. The turnaround strategy, based on the following promises, must deliver improved outcomes. The January 2010 Cabinet lekgotla accepted an outcomes-based approach and to deliver on Outcome 8 agreements. These include greater sustainability, human settlement and improving the quality of household life, which it set as its 2014 targets. This includes the upgrading of 400 000 informal settlement households at an estimated cost of R19,2 billion, including the provision of bulk infrastructure; the delivery of 800 000 rental units; increasing the provision of basic services, including increased access to sanitation from 69% to 100%; financing 600 000 housing opportunities for people in the R3 500 to R12 800 income bracket; and releasing 6 250 hectares of well-located state-owned land for delivery of sustainable human settlements.
Gauteng is in a fortunate position in that the quality and workmanship of housing delivered is reasonable. The walls and roofs are stable, with few defects. However, the same cannot be said for other provinces, where norms and standards are diverse and do not comply with the prescribed regulations and guidelines. Minister, one of the greatest challenges in Gauteng is the refurbishing of hostels that stand unoccupied. Urgent intervention is required from the Minister to facilitate the process.
The National Development Plan indicates that Human Settlements must aim to create 300 000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030. This is only possible when there are clear intervention and implementation processes in place. There should be closer co-operation, public participation and a reasonable process for making resources available within provinces to achieve this objective.
The latest Minmec 2013 regulations are a step in the right direction, but government can still do more to secure better and improved human facilities.
Provinces and municipalities receive substantial amounts in conditional grants, as shown by the Division of Revenue Act. Firstly, can the department explain the implementation of the Division of Revenue Act and the process to date as it relates to the above-mentioned? Secondly, to what extent is the department working towards improving the expenditure efficiency of provinces and metropolitan municipalities in the delivery of housing and sanitation services?
The department's target for the 2011-12 financial year was to support the development of 20 000 units. However, less than half of this target was achieved and 5 830 units were delivered. The reasons provided by the department for not achieving this target were limited funding and delays in the approval of plans and the release of the land. To date, what has the department done to address those reasons?
The accreditation of municipalities has slowed down. With the achievement of level-three accreditation still being a major challenge for municipalities, the SA Local Government Association reports that, despite a clear framework with respect to accreditation of municipalities to perform certain functions, implementation requires greater attention, especially co-operation between the provincial and municipal spheres of government. Salga's recommendation regarding provinces must be given serious attention and the Minister needs to secure greater powers for Salga to facilitate this programme.
I would like acknowledge the superb effort that the Minister and his team are making, as well as their dedication to improving the lives of all South Africans.