4 December 2024 / For immediate release
Ndifuna Ukwazi is deeply disappointed by President Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle last night. The appointment of Minister Simelane to the Human Settlements portfolio disrupts ongoing efforts to address South Africa’s housing crisis and undermines trust in government leadership.
Minister Simelane faces unresolved corruption allegations. Her appointment to a struggling department appears solely politically motivated, raising serious concerns about the government’s priorities.
South Africa’s housing challenges are severe. Housing delivery has slowed to a standstill, informal settlements are expanding, and land reform remains stalled. Deploying a politician who is facing serious allegations of corruption to lead the Department of Human Settlements signals the state’s lack of commitment to prioritising housing and is an insult to the millions of South Africans struggling to access decent homes.
If the allegations against Minister Simelane are serious enough that she had to be removed from the Ministry of Justice, then there is absolutely no reason that she should subsequently be redeployed to lead the Department of Human Settlements. Human Settlements has a major impact on people’s lives, on the economy and on our environment. It is unacceptable that such an important portfolio is being so severely deprioritised and effectively used as a dumping ground for politicians facing serious allegations. We call on the President to appoint capable, honest leaders to lead the state’s efforts to address our housing crisis.
– Mpho Raboeane, Executive Director of Ndifuna Ukwazi
In addition to these changes in the executive arm of the state, there are calls to weaken the PIE Act (Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act) by officials in the legislature. Communities forced to occupy land due to the state’s failure to provide well-located, affordable housing and secure tenure face even greater risk should this legislation be amended.
The actions of the Government of National Unity towards human settlements display a troubling disregard for the housing crisis and our country’s future. We call for the Department’s commitment to eradicating spatial exclusion through adequately funding the Social Housing Programme and renewing prioritisation of tenure security.
