Gauteng’s ambitious Rapid Land Release Programme (RLRP), which was initiated with a budget of R2 billion, has come under heavy scrutiny. Despite its aims to address the pressing housing shortage in the province, only 26 homes have been constructed out of a staggering 10,000 serviced stands earmarked for development.
This comes after MEC Tasneem Motara’s startling revelation in the Gauteng Legislature that, despite billions being poured into the RLRP, only 26 houses have been built across areas such as Palm Ridge, Westonaria Borwa, and Wiltsbodal, with other beneficiaries having opted to place a fence to protect their stands.
The RLRP was introduced as a pilot initiative to provide serviced stands and title deeds to qualifying middle-income households; those earning between R3,501 and R7,000 per month who fall outside traditional subsidy and bank finance models.
Motara noted that the department has halted all land acquisitions under the RLRP pending a full review and restructuring.
“The Department has halted acquisition of land for RLRP until conclusion of the review and restructuring of the programme. Hence, there are no funds committed to new projects still to be paid.”
She said the slow progress and challenges they faced with the RLRP were caused by two major challenges: a shortage of affordable, well-located land and the high cost of the land that was available. She added that many beneficiaries earning between R3,501 and R7,000 could not afford to build their own homes, which made it difficult for the project to succeed.
Motara admitted that the RLRP was rushed into implementation following a directive from the former Premier, which left the department under pressure to deliver without adequate planning or resources.
“The programme was a pronouncement of the then Premier with targets announced for serviced stands that created pressure for the Department to develop a policy for the release of stands, which was done with limited capacity and resources, as the programme was new. This limited the research conducted before implementation of the programme,” she added.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements, Mervyn Cirota, slammed the department, saying the project was doomed from the outset.
“These startling admissions once again expose the Gauteng Human Settlements department's complete failure to fulfil its mandate and provide housing opportunities for our citizens. They further highlight how funds meant to address the over 1.3 million housing backlogs are being wasted on a project doomed from the outset.”
Cirota added that the incompetence and lack of planning by the former Premier, coupled with the current Human Settlements MEC's inability to implement the RLRP, raise serious concerns about how initiatives and targets are developed, managed, and monitored within the department.
He further called on Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Motara to explain the steps they are taking to ensure that the purchased land, standing vacant, is transferred to deserving homeowners who are capable of building and maintaining their homes.
“We will table questions to MEC Motara to that effect and demand accountability for the wasted R2 billion. Residents of Gauteng are tired of excuses and finger-pointing from the current government leaders; they want roofs over their heads and accountability for each cent wasted, which could have improved their lives,” said Cirota.
Terry-Ann Van Eck, spokesperson for Human Settlements MEC, Tasneem Motara, also admitted that the programme has encountered several setbacks, among them delays in securing municipal approvals, lack of infrastructure readiness, and difficulties faced by beneficiaries in building their homes within the required timeframe.
“We acknowledge that the programme has faced challenges, including delays in municipal approvals, infrastructure readiness, and beneficiaries’ ability to build within the prescribed period. These are being addressed through a comprehensive review of the RLRP strategy and policy. The Department is appointing a service provider to assist beneficiaries with approved building plans to reduce costs and linking beneficiaries with private developers to accelerate construction.”
She added that the department’s Internal Audit Unit is currently reviewing spending and implementation to ensure funds are used properly.
“Lessons from this pilot phase are informing an improved RLRP model, which will ensure greater efficiency, accountability, and delivery impact,” Van Eck said.
However, Van Eck rejected the DA’s criticism, saying, “It would therefore be inaccurate to describe the programme as a failure. The RLRP remains a critical empowerment initiative aimed at expanding land ownership and enabling self-build housing opportunities for Gauteng residents.
“To date, the Department has developed over 10,000 serviced stands across various sites, many of which have already been allocated and transferred to beneficiaries.”
The Star
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