Chairperson, I want to agree with the committee Chairperson's interpretation that a house is a family asset from one generation to another. But is that the reality on the ground? I cannot disagree with the Chairperson that there is a glaring lack of synchronisation between provinces and municipalities. Now, to deliver on the promise is a mammoth task in view of the fact that the forensic investigation into the Durban Metro has produced shocking, earth-shattering news.
In the last provincial debate, the MEC for Human Settlements said that 80% of the houses examined had to be demolished, and it is costing about R1,8 billion. Can this country afford this? The MEC took the NHBRC to Woodhurst and there was chaos. The MF calls for a thorough investigation of EThekwini, and especially Phoenix, where a contractor who has no experience is given a housing tender and has been given carte blanche and is utilising these properties for commercial purposes.
This won't add value to delivering good homes. There must be an independent investigation into this. The Special Investigation Unit needs to be given permission to investigate housing in KwaZulu-Natal and also in the Durban Metro and other neighbouring municipalities, such as Msunduzi, Umdoni and eMzinto. The only area where housing is delivered is in the area of fraud, corruption and irregularities. There is an absolute crisis. The same people are getting tenders and people continue to live in temporary houses for over five years. The MEC's visit to eMzinto was a futile exercise. People living in flats have been waiting for the transfer of their homes for the past 26 years. This is really a disgrace.
The R1,8 billion spent on shoddy workmanship will take the housing budget backwards by 10 years. The further R280 million surrendered by National Treasury is an absolute disgrace. Our people continue to wait in queues for homes, yet monies are returned. Our people continue to live in shacks in informal settlements under difficult circumstances. Those contractors that are found guilty of fraud must be thrown in jail. What has gone wrong? What happened to Black Economic Empowerment, BEE? Has it gone with the wind? Housing is a major issue - rural families still live in mud houses. I want to ... The MF will support the budget. [Time expired.]