Mr Chairperson, I once more thank the hon member, in this case for asking this question. We say that the obligation and authority to plan human settlement development vest with local government throughout the country. This obligation and authority stem from the provisions of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act of 2000 and the Housing Act of 1997. Section 26(c) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, prescribes that every municipality should formulate a spatial development framework, SDF, as part of its integrated development plan.
The design of urban development plan strategies is furthermore directed by overall national and provincial spatial development plans that ultimately impact on the integrated development plans of municipalities.
So, in terms of section 9 of the national Housing Act of 1997 every municipality must, as part of the municipality's process of integrated development planning, take all reasonable and necessary steps within the framework of national and provincial housing legislation and policy, and ensure that inhabitants in its area of jurisdiction have access to adequate housing on a progressive basis. Let me stop at this point. Thank you.