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Today, the Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale, withdrew the Rental Housing Amendment Bill (RHAB) from Parliament despite the unanimous support for the bill in the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements.

The Minister argues that it would be legally and practically impossible for his department to implement the bill.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) recognises the significance of rental housing as one of the alternative housing methods that cater for the gap market, which includes middle income earners and students. The RHAB outlines mechanisms in support of a harmonious relationship between tenants and landlords.

One of the most important amendments was to introduce an appeals mechanism, which would allow an independent body to evaluate disputes between tenants and landlords.

Minister Sexwale introduced this bill in September last year. Whilst the bill was deliberated upon in the committee, the Minister had several opportunities to express his reservations or objections to the bill. No such objections were raised by the Minister.

Instead, he waited until committee deliberations were completed and the bill tabled for adoption in parliament before declaring it impossible to implement.

This undermines the legislative mandate of parliament.

Members from all parties in the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements today expressed their dissatisfaction with the Minister’s decision.

This bill was intended to improve protection for both landlords and tenants in the rental housing market. This market has an important role to play in terms of creating sustainable human settlement solutions for poor South Africans.

The DA will support proposals by the committee to have the RHAB re-introduced to the National Assembly as a committee bill.