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The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) has issued only 32 002 title deeds in the past five years, despite a backlog of 178 000 residents on the housing waiting list. This list includes 166 000 individuals who have been waiting since post-1994 and 12 000 who have been waiting since before 1994.

This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, in a written reply to the Democratic Alliance's (DA’s) written questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

See full reply here.

The low number of title deeds issued in the past five years reflects a concerning reality: the department lacks effective solutions for the housing crisis in Gauteng, and it is those in need of housing who suffer the most as a result. At the current rate, the department will take 25 years to clear the title deeds backlog.

The question is how long Gauteng residents should wait to receive this important document, proof of home or land ownership. A responsible government would understand that title deeds provide security of tenure, granting the holder the right to occupy or sell the property if they choose to do so.  It also makes it easy for the owner to pass the ownership to his or her children and the future generations to come.

The DA will engage the Chairperson of the Human Settlements Committee in GPL, Nomathemba Mokgethi, to call the MEC Motara to appear before the committee to explain in detail the reasons for this backlog and the actions that will be taken by her department to mitigate the situations. The MEC will also need to provide timelines for the department's interventions to clear the backlog.

A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would ensure that title deeds are handed to the beneficiaries timeously to avoid unnecessary backlog.

The DA will continue to pressure the MEC to ensure that the backlog is resolved, giving beneficiaries the peace of mind that comes from owning a title deed.

Issued by Mervyn Cirota MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements