Chairperson and Deputy Minister, the Department of Housing is faced with problems in issuing tenders to contractors because of shoddy workmanship. Other contractors do not finish their work and abscond.
The aim of this Bill is to rectify certain interpretation and implementation problems, which have arisen since the promulgation of the Act. This Bill also assists in addressing remedies in the event of contractors absconding or passing away before completing the building, and this is the guide for the department on measures to be taken when such a thing does occur.
However, the department must ensure the availability of funds in the event of the contractor not being able to complete building a house or a project. Government must ensure that proper consultation with the relevant stakeholders has been done. The failure of contractors to comply with the requirements may lead to the expulsion of those contractors.
The monitoring of builders and paying them in terms of looking at the progress in stages rather than paying upfront, before even the foundation is laid, will help in curbing loss that usually occurs when the builder disappears into thin air.
The role of municipalities should be clearly addressed, especially in building RDP houses. They must play a vital role in the process of the building and distribution of houses for accountability purposes. Also, because they will be working closely with their contractors, they should enhance the quality of housing products so that they can improve. There must be co-operation among the relevant stakeholders and no repetition or duplication of duties.
Iqembu leNkatha liyothokoza uma abahloli bengaqikelela ukuthi izindlu ezakhiwayo ziyizindlu eziseqophelweni eliphezulu futhi kube ngezihlangabezana nezidingo zabantu. Ekugcineni, kufanele uhulumeni ahlolisise ukuthi ngabe abakhi bezindlu ngeke banikeze yini isiqinisekiso sokuthi bayolungisa noma umuphi umonakalo kuze kufike isikhathi esigculisayo, sisho igaranti phela. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[The IFP would be very happy if inspectors could ensure that the houses that are built are of high quality and are also houses that meet the people's needs. Eventually, government must check whether builders could give a guarantee to repair any damage until such time as the construction is satisfactory.]
The IFP welcomes the amendment of section 17 of the Act in order to extend the cover provided by the council's warranty scheme to include roof leaks and to enables the council, under certain circumstances, to make payment. [Interjections.]
Section 17, as I also indicated, includes roof leaks and enables the Council, under certain circumstances, to make payment to the housing consumer in full and final settlement of a claim.
Furthermore, the Bill is clear in its guidelines that any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the council may lodge an appeal with the Minister.
Iqembu leNkatha liyazisekela zonke lezi zichibiyelo esezenziwe. Ngicela ukwehlela ngenzansi; wena wakomkhulu! [Ihlombe.] [The IFP supports all these amendments. Thank you, Chaiperson.]