Human Settlements
(a)(i) How many title deeds have been issued to the beneficiaries in the rural areas of the Western Cape since 2009 till the latest date for which information is available and (ii) how long did it take to finalise, (b) what are the (i) details of those that have not been finalised and (ii) expected timeline for the completion of issuing these title deeds in each municipality?
- (i) Since 2009, a total of 8,047 Title Deeds have been issued in the
Non- metro areas.
(ii) My department is not directly responsible for the transfer and
registration of properties. Instead, Implementing Agents as appointed by municipalities, are required to attend to the registrations. Title Deeds are issued to beneficiaries as and when they become available after registration. This process is on- going.
- (i) There are numerous projects in each municipality prior to 2009
that are still to be finalised and these amount to approximately
23,000. Some of the key reasons for the delays are caused due to changes in the status of beneficiaries, town planning approvals, land survey and land ownership issues.
The Title Deeds backlog post 2009 amounts to 4,000.
To date, the summation of the Pre and the Post 2009 amounts
27,000.
(ii) The following initiatives are being applied in an effort to address the backlog:
- The appointment of a Provincial Task Team as well as Regional District forums to identify and address the problems and bottlenecks as well as to share best practices;
- Outreaches to municipalities to sensitise them of the need to ensure timeous issuing of Title Deeds and accurate reporting;
- The increase in the retention amount to R2 000.00; and
- Ensuring that project closure occurs only after the issuing of Title Deeds.
It is hoped that the backlog will be cleared during the 2018/2019 financial year.
