The Department of Human Settlements (DHS), along with the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), expects to deliver 271 048 title deeds to beneficiaries of government’s low-cost housing programme by the end of March 2017.
Briefing the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements in Parliament on progress made in the eradication of the current backlog in this endeavour, EAAB CEO Bryan Chaplog said the next two financial years would see “a waterfall of delivery on this very important and emotive issue”.
“This is made up of the backlog from July 2014 and projects delivered thereafter,” he said, adding that 117 116 title deeds had been delivered to beneficiaries over the past two financial years.
The EAAB, which is tasked to project manage the eradication of the backlog by the DHS, said the institution has divided the title deeds programme into two categories; the pre-1994 stock and the post 1994-stock.
MPs expressed concern about the pace of delivering title deeds in the country, arguing that the processes could be sped up dramatically.
DHS acting director-general Neville Chainee said the department needed to remain optimistic based on the progress made, given the historical inherited backlog.
“There is a sense of urgency on our part and we are taking responsibility for this. The reality is that we are starting from a very low base,” he said.