The South African constitution guarantees its citizens a right to proper shelter but after almost three decades of democracy, more than a quarter of its population live in shacks. This could be attributed to the fact that rapid household growth and population relocation is making it very difficult to address existing backlogs in the face of fresh demands, according to the department of housing.

LOCATION ISSUES

Abahlali baseMjondolo, a shack dwellers' movement group, accuses the leading party of corruption which leads to lack of service delivery and adequate housing. The group said in a statement that politicians are out to enrich themselves instead of serving the people. "While the elites grow rich and fat on the people's money we continue to live like pigs in the mud in shacks. It is no surprise that millions of people refused to vote for them in the elections in November last year [2021],' read the statement. "They have no shame. During the elections they were up and down making promises. Now they are walking away from the shacks and rural areas and drive in their fancy cars and live with the elite. When the poor speak, they are shot and killed by law enforcement and SAPS. We are faced with evictions and are relocated to places that are far from the places of work and opportunities,' the statement continued.

Earlier this year, residents of Jika Joe informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg, KZN went on a rampage and blocked some roads in the area demanding that their RDP houses be built where they are and not be relocated. "As the Department we have a Constitutional obligation to provide houses for all. However, some already occupied land parcels are not suitable for human settlement. In our effort to ensure that we collectively agree on a way forward, we rely on social facilitation with affected communities which often lead to positive results,' says Mandulo Maphumulo, spokesperson for the Department of Human Settlements.

SERVICE DELIVERY

This is just one of the many issues the settlement faces. In a familiar fashion of protest with road blockage, stones and burning tyres, Jika Joe residents had earlier gone on a service delivery protest demanding the lights be switched back on. It is reported that they were disconnected due to a transformer that was overloaded.              "The ANC embraces the continued impoverishment of the majority of black people. They do not want to see the lives of the poor improved. We will continue to fight for the marginalised in the face of oppression,' vowed Abahlali baseMjondolo. Mandulo pours cold water to such sentiments saying the department has been hard at work to get rid of informal settlements that R10 billion has been budgeted towards the upgrade of informal settlements. He says this is not the only programme in response to the issue of housing. Mandulo says they also provide serviced stands for people to build for themselves, affordable rental stock through social housing programme, Help Me Buy a House and fully subsidised housing for qualifying beneficiaries.                                                                                                                                                           "The Bill of Rights contained in our Constitution affirms the right of all to a healthy environment; access to adequate housing; and access to basic services. Our communities, especially the poorest of the poor, deserve better from us their representatives. Not only do we have the constitutional obligation to ensure that the quality of service we provide is anchored on competence and high ethical standards. It is for this reason that I make bold to say the defence of the constitution and our hard won democracy and the gains we have accumulated, is a defence of the rights of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable in our communities,' said Human Settlement Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi during her SONA debate remarks in Parliament.

ADDRESSING CHALLENGES

Mandulo points out some issues the department has had to deal with in trying to address housing people. "Some of the challenges which affect delivery of sustainable human settlements include budget cuts, unavailability of well suitable land for human settlements development, unauthorised occupation of private properties, some of which earmarked for development shack farming, and people selling or renting their BNG units and then go back to live in informal settlements,' he says. He concludes that it's quite a juggling act to try to house people when they keep moving around the country as they migrate to cities for better opportunities. This makes it difficult for the department to be certain about numbers by province or region.