South Africa: Department of Human Settlements Lacks Proper Planning

The IFP has expressed its concern about the lack of proper planning in providing and implementing solutions to the current water and sanitation backlog from the Department of Human Settlements.

IFP Spokesperson on Human Settlements, Mr. Petros Sithole said, ” Today the Department of Human Settlements presented a Framework for the development of a Water and Sanitation Master Plan before the Portfolio Committee, which failed to provide information about how it will reduce the current sanitation backlog. This backlog currently stands at 3 million unresolved sanitation problems”.

Sithole added, “Although the master plan presented is comprehensive, the department needs to concentrate on solving current problems and focus less on introducing future programmes. For instance, in the Cala area in the Eastern Cape, toilets remain unfixed and this has been the case since 2009 and no solution is forthcoming from the department. Furthermore, the department has failed to clarify what assistance it will provide to those provinces that are experiencing water scarcity like in Limpopo and the North West.

The IFP calls on the Department of Human Settlements to be active in implementing solutions to the sanitation backlogs, because it is not clear who is in charge of the sanitation programme between the municipalities, Department of Water Affairs and the Department itself.”