The Commission’s investigation substantiated the complaints, revealing that the challenges are systemic and widespread, impacting all municipalities in the province. Despite efforts to gather comprehensive data, discrepancies in information provided by stakeholders hinder a precise assessment of the issue’s full scope, pointing to a lack of coordination in delivering housing projects in the North West. The investigation found that the North West Department of Human Settlements (“NW DHS”) has failed to fulfil its mandate within reasonable timeframes and prescribed quality standards, thereby infringing upon beneficiaries’ constitutional rights to adequate housing and human dignity as per sections 26(1) and 10 of the Constitution.

Specific violations include delays in issuing title deeds, undermining beneficiaries’ security of tenure, and deficiencies in housing design that compromise privacy and accessibility for persons with disabilities. The root causes identified include mismanagement, inadequate planning, contractual disputes, and insufficient oversight by the North West Department of Treasury (“NW DOT”) and the North West Office of the Premier (“NW OTP”), exacerbating the situation.

To address these challenges, the Commission’s report directs, amongst others, that the NW DHS must, within 90 days of the report, furnish a comprehensive progress report detailing completed houses, repairs conducted, and consequence management measures taken against non-compliant contractors and personnel. Within 90 days, NW DHS is also required to devise a comprehensive plan to address incomplete and inadequate RDP houses in the North West, detailing specific steps, budgets, timelines, and measures to address the challenge. The plan must incorporate stakeholder input and necessitate quarterly progress reporting thereafter.

Stakeholder consultation, meaningful engagement and verification of project data are also mandated to enhance accountability and planning. Municipalities and oversight departments are required to submit action plans and bi-annual progress reports to address land availability issues and bolster oversight.

The directives aim to rectify current deficiencies, promote transparency and accountability, as well as restore public trust in RDP housing delivery in the North West province. Continuous monitoring and stakeholder engagement are pivotal for sustained improvement and upholding beneficiaries’ rights to adequate housing and dignity.

The full report is available on this link: https://www.sahrc.org.za/index.php/publications/incomplete-and-inadequate-rdp-houses-in-the-north-west-report/viewdocument/561

For further information, contact the SAHRC North West Provincial Manager, Ms Shirley Mlombo, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Emmanuel Nkonde at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.