Strengthening relationship between the three spheres of government is critical if the state was to respond effectively to the service delivery needs of South Africans, says Human Settlements Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo.

Addressing community members at Zwelihle Stadium in Hermanus following violent service delivery protests, Minister Mfeketo said it was unacceptable that funds from the human settlements budget were being returned to National Treasury when there was service delivery pressure on housing in the country.

“If relations between the three spheres of Government were what it’s supposed to be, ways could have been found to reallocate these funds to areas where they are needed most,” she said.

The Minister said she endorsed and supported the intervention of the Western MEC for Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela in Hermanus and her Department would do everything possible to make sure the agreed plan of action between the Province, Overstrand Municipality and the community was a success.

Officials from the National Department of Human Settlements would be assigned to the task team that was established by the Western Cape MEC and would provide weekly reports to the Minister’s office.

“I am waiting for the revised business plans from the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements and the Municipality that will reprioritise spending in Overstrand. In few weeks, once that is received, we should be able to say in a concrete way how we are going to help,” said Mfeketo.

She said she wished the country had all the money that it needed for development, but the fact that funds meant for housing remained unspent by provinces and certain metropolitan municipalities was a source of great concern for her.

“With proper planning, we can overcome these challenges and I am happy that there is calm in Hermanus now so that we can start doing some work.”

The Human Settlements Minister also warned South Africans against the invasion of land under the pretext of returning it to the dispossessed, saying land redistribution had to be done in an orderly manner.

Issued by Ministry of Human Settlements