Title Deeds Restoration Project neglects elderly and disabled

Dear MyPE

A recent response received from the MEC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mvoko, reveals that over R1 billion has been spent on the Title Deeds Restoration Project over the 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years yet not a single title deed was handed over to elderly beneficiaries during the 2017/18 and the 2018/19 financial years.

Disabled beneficiaries have not received title deeds over the past three financial years.

According to the response, a mere 16 title deeds were handed over to elderly beneficiaries during the 2016/17 financial year.

During the 2017/18 financial year, 8433 elderly housing beneficiaries did not receive their title deeds and 612 beneficiaries have not received their title deeds for the 2018/19 financial year.

46 disabled beneficiaries did not receive their title deeds during the 2017/18 financial year and 24 beneficiaries have not received their title deeds for the 2018/19 period.

The Department continues to fail the most vulnerable members of our society.

Without a title deed, beneficiaries do not have any legal claim to their property. Elderly and disabled housing beneficiaries should be prioritised in the allocation of houses. It is unacceptable that the programme is failing the people that need it the most.

The delay in issuing title deeds opens up the door for the illegal occupation of houses and it fuels protests from disgruntled beneficiaries.

Where we govern, our focus is on reforming ownership of urban land and ensuring that beneficiaries of state subsidised housing have full ownership title to these homes. These are important steps in redressing the legacy of land dispossession.

I will be submitting further questions to the MEC to enquire about the reasons behind the delays in handing over these title deeds.

Regards

Sanele Magaqa