Human Settlements
1. With regard to the additional R220 million that was made available to his Department in the 2020 Third Adjusted Estimates of Provincial Revenue and Expenditure:
(a) What is the detailed breakdown of that expenditure, (b)(i) what is the total number of shelters that were built for the fire victims in Masiphumelele and (ii) what was the cost per structure, (c)(i) what is the total amount spent in the construction of bulk services as part of the Vredebes Housing Project and (ii) what progress has been made with this project, (d) what is the (i) progress and (ii) expenditure for the rapid land release for the Masakhane Informal Settlement Project in Overstrand and (e) what is the (i) progress and (ii) expenditure for all the other projects identified as part of the funding;
2(a) what is the total breakdown of the expenditure of the Provincial Emergency Housing Grant that was earmarked for the provision of permanent housing solutions for households affected by fire and storm damage in Masiphumelele and (b) what does the permanent solution entail?
1(a) The R220m comprised of R150m from the Human Settlements Development Grant of which R118m was to accelerate delivery on existing projects and R32m to implement a temporary solution as immediate relief to families affected by Masiphumelele fires. Additional R70m was approved from the Provincial Emergency Housing grant, and this was earmarked to provide a permanent housing solution to the residents of Masiphumelele informal settlement.
(b)
(i) A total of 887 shelters were built and allocated to verified beneficiaries.
(ii) The cost per structure was R17,800.00 and additional funds were spent towards earthworks, creation of platforms and securing the sites from being invaded.
(c)
(i) The total amount spent for bulk services is R26,7m which was funded by both the Department and the Municipality. All work has been completed.
(ii) To date 1761 sites have been serviced and 229 top structures built and handed over to beneficiaries. The implementation of the balance of the project in relation to top structures, is currently delayed due to insufficient bulk electrical infrastructure. The Municipality assisted by the Department is in discussion with the National Department of Minerals and Energy to resolve the matter.
(d)
(i) 505 out of 1184 sites have been serviced and handed over with the additional 376 to be completed by end of March 2022. The balance of 303 sites were affected by land invasions and the contractor is not able to commence with the work as alternative land must be identified to clear the invaded area for construction.
(ii) Expenditure to date is R21,5m
(e)
In addition to Masiphumelele the following projects were accelerated:
(i) Overstrand
- Hawston: 378 units built; R27m spent by March 2021
- Masakhane: 201 sites serviced; R16,6m spent by March 2021
(ii) Theewaterskloof
- Beaumont/New France: There was nil expenditure on the project by end of March 2021. The Municipality was still finalising applications to obtain statutory planning approvals.
- Irak: Installation of services to 456 was at various stages with 50% of work completed by end of the financial year; R3,6m was spent by March 2021
(iii) Bitou
- Ebenhaezer: Contractor established site in January 2021 to install services to 204 erven; No claims were submitted by the Municipality as at end of March 2021.
(iv) Mosselbay
- Mountain View: 1006 sites serviced, and 267 units completed; R133m spent by March 2021
(v) George
- Metro Grounds: 468 sites serviced; R18,8m spent by March 2021
(vi) Oudtshoorn
- Dysselsdorp: 534 sites serviced; R23m spent by March 2021
2 (a) There is no expenditure against the grant which was earmarked for permanent solution. The land identified did not have the necessary development rights in place. The City of Cape Town is still busy with the statutory planning processes and the development can only commence once the City of Cape Town has obtained all the necessary statutory approvals.
The planning and design stage of the formal solution is in an advanced stage. The formal solution will provide between 640 – 700 fully serviced erven on Erf 5131 Noordhoek; i.e. the western portion abutting the sportsfield. The town planning application was recently supported (approved) at the Municipal Tribunal, and only the Environmental Authorisation and Water Use Licence is now outstanding.
Once all approvals are in place, the engineering design needs to be completed and thereafter a tender will be put out to secure a contractor. In terms of City of Cape Town’s programme, the tender process will take approximately one year to complete, and construction of the services will start in May 2023 and be completed in May 2024. The construction of the top structures will commence on completion of the services contract.
(a) The permanent solution entails installation of services to 640-700 erven and intention is to build high density units in order to maximize number of opportunities in order to accommodate as many beneficiaries as possible given the lack of developable land within the vicinity.
