Chairperson and hon members, there is consensus on the existence of a huge backlog in housing, but human settlement is not only about housing. It is about the holistic livelihood of people. Even if we were to meet the required number of houses, houses on their own do not translate to a decent livelihood. Without schools, playing fields, clinics, community halls, etc, the mandate of Human Settlements would not be achieved.
Section 26(1) of the Constitution of the Republic states that everyone has the right of access to adequate housing. It is the government's duty to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right. That Mrs Grootboom died before the Constitutional Court order to provide her with shelter was realised is an indictment that will haunt this government for a long time to come. To make up for this, government should put up good houses that will enhance the dignity of our people.
We complained in the past about the incommodious matchbox houses built by the previous government, which were "goed genoeg vir hulle" [good enough for them], but nowadays we are noticing sprawling settlements of tin houses and decrepit contraptions across the South African landscape.
We note that the issue of sanitation has been placed higher on the priority list by government. Let us hope that in the near future no residential place in this country will still be using buckets for night-soil removal.
Abantu bakruqukile yimigqomo engathuthwayo xa kuqhankqalazwa okanye kunemicimbi. Kuyafuneka ukuba izinto zilungiswe zibe kwimo efanelekileyo. [People have had enough of refuse bins that are not collected and emptied when there are service delivery protests or other ceremonies. We need to get our house in order and bring the situation back to an acceptable level.]
Consideration has to be given to providing serviced sites so that those who are able to build can do so. It is a common sight nowadays to have a two- storey building dwarfing RDP houses in a place that was originally meant to serve the poorest of the poor. If there were serviced sites, people would have been able to build the type of house they want where they want to.
In conclusion, while the UCDP supports this Budget Vote, the department should be awake to corrupt practices in the ranks of some of those who deal with housing, as evidenced by what happened when Ga-Rankuwa and Mabopane were incorporated into Gauteng. We hope the office of the ombudsman, as announced by the hon Minister, will be handling these issues. The Minister has my letter about this issue and I'm sure we will be interfacing and interacting to discuss the matter. The UCDP will be supporting the Budget Vote.