This, as the Free State Human Settlements Department confirms the upgrade of informal settlements and the restoration of title deeds is a key priority in the 2021/22 financial year. 

Briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Finance earlier on Friday, the department’s acting Chief Financial Officer, Nozipho Molikoe, said the department remains committed to providing adequate houses to residents in the province and ensuring that property ownership for the previously disadvantaged is realised. She told the committee, led by the Chief Whip of the Free State Legislature, Vusi Tshabalala, that the department’s budget has, however, been decreased by 5%, which might affect the department’s ability to fill vacant positions.

Finance MEC Gadija Brown earlier this week announced that the department will spend more than R3.9 billion over the next years to address housing challenges in the province. She highlighted that the upgrade of informal settlements is amongst the top priorities.

“In 2021/22, the budget amounts to R1.256 billion, whilst in the outer financial years, it is R1.305 billion and R1.343 billion respectively,” she said.

Whilst opposition parties in the committee acknowledge the department’s budget constraints, the EFF’s Mahlomola Majake and DA’s David van Vuuren said the departments need to do more to ensure that the department does not lose grants from national level, and that housing backlogs in the province are addressed.

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