| Gauteng residents are being left behind and unable to fully experience the positive impacts of township development due to the poor performance of the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS).
The GDHS, which is crucial in enhancing residents’ dignity through affordable housing and economic empowerment, has consistently underperformed over the years, leaving township businesses, women, youth, and other designated groups in jeopardy. In the department’s fourth quarterly report for the 2023/2024 financial year, it is noted that the procurement budget spending on township businesses fell significantly short of its 60% target, achieving only 1.19%. The underachievement also extends to the targets for women, where it only reached 23.91% out of the 40% target and 7.68% out of the 20% target for youth. Furthermore, the registration of title deeds, a key measure for promoting property ownership and economic activity, reached less than 30% of its goals. This failure to reach its objectives for township businesses can also be seen in the first quarterly report for the 2024/2025 financial year, where only 1,81% of the 60% target was met. These failures underscore a troubling disconnect between the administration’s public commitment to township development and the actual results delivered by its programmes. The department’s inability to meet its targets reflects a broader issue of ineffective implementation, lack of accountability, and a missed opportunity to foster economic growth and empowerment in township communities. Moreover, the department’s failures highlight the stark reality that Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s talk about revitalising townships and their economies has not been backed up by tangible action that could benefit Gauteng residents. The Premier should be whipping the GDHS into line to ensure it supports the Township Economic Development Act, which aims to assist and finance township businesses. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is also concerned by the allegations of unethical use of public funds to support Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s aggressive drive to implement projects in areas perceived as strongholds of the ruling party to gain electoral advantage ahead of the 2024 elections. If confirmed to be true, this would be regrettable and point to the violation of the electoral code of conduct. The DA demands that the GDHS put systems in place to ensure that programmes are implemented efficiently, and targets are met. Not addressing this will cause the department to keep performing poorly and inevitably lead to the crippling of township businesses. A DA government will initiate an immediate review and restructuring of the Human Settlements Department to ensure that the Department fulfils its mandate and makes a meaningful difference among township businesses, which are a source of income for many families in our communities. The DA is committed to actively promoting and developing the economies of our townships to create employment opportunities and foster self-reliance among Gauteng residents.
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