 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Media advisory: Call for submissions in respect of the Commission’s investigative inquiry on the challenge of unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West
Attention: Editors and Reporters
22 February 2023
Over the years, the Commission in the North West has received many complaints about unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West. The complaints of unfinished houses include those that were not built beyond the foundation stage, those whose walls were built up to the halfway point, and those which were built to almost completion but are left without the roof. These houses make it impossible for the owners thereof to take occupation. As a result, these houses are vandalized. The complaints of inadequate houses relate to buildings that are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. They also relate to the use of inferior building materials and poor workmanship, and, as a result, this poses safety threats/risks to the livelihoods of the occupiers.
22 February 2023
Over the years, the Commission in the North West has received many complaints about unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West. The complaints of unfinished houses include those that were not built beyond the foundation stage, those whose walls were built up to the halfway point, and those which were built to almost completion but are left without the roof. These houses make it impossible for the owners thereof to take occupation. As a result, these houses are vandalized. The complaints of inadequate houses relate to buildings that are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. They also relate to the use of inferior building materials and poor workmanship, and, as a result, this poses safety threats/risks to the livelihoods of the occupiers.
To investigate these challenges at a systemic level, the Commission will embark on an inquiry on the inadequate and unfinished RDP houses in the North West from 8 to 12 May 2023.
The objectives of the inquiry are to, amongst others:
• Assess the prevalence of the challenge of unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West;
• Examine the root causes of the challenge of unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West;
• Assess the impact of the challenge of unfinished and inadequate RDP houses on the subsidy beneficiaries, including the vulnerable groups under sections 9, 10, 25(1), and 26(1) of the Constitution.
• Examine the State’s plans to address the challenge of unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West; and
• Explore the role that various actors have played in causing the challenge of unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West;
• Explore the role that various actors can play in bringing about the desired changes; and
• Make findings, recommendations and directives aimed at addressing the housing challenges in the North West.
As part of the inquiry, the Commission calls for submissions on the subject matter from affected communities and beneficiaries, as well as from other relevant stakeholders. The information submitted may include information on the causes of the identified challenge, the impact of the identified challenge on the affected communities and beneficiaries and the proposed steps for addressing the identified challenge.
The information requested is required by 14 March 2023 and may be delivered by hand or e-mail at the following addresses:
SAHRC’s offices in the North West, 25 Heystek Street, Rustenburg
Or
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ENDS
For further information or enquiries, please contact SAHRC North West Provincial Manager, Shirley Mlombo (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 083 575 1893) or Zama Luthuli (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 067 173 8817)
About us
Understanding PAIA
The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)