Dear Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements,

A new effort for the recovery of Old Debt was started in July 2017 in collaboration with National Department of Human Settlements (NDHS), various Provinces, Federation of Urban and Rural Poor (FEDUP) and uTshani Fund (UF).

Various meetings convened by NDHS were attended by Ms Sue Seeko, an official from the FSDHS.

Subsequently in May 2019, the FSDHS arranged a house audit. Participants in this process were FSDHS officials, a Cuban engineer from the FSDHS, FEDUP and uTshani Fund.

Houses audited in various municipalities viz Tswelopele 9, Nala 43, Maqhaka 43, Matjhabeng 38 Total 133

Following the audit process, FSDHS requested UF to prepare and submit individual invoices per beneficiary which was duly done and submitted. Thereafter, a meeting was held in Bloemfontein with FSDHS, supported by NDHS to finalise the report and claims which was submitted to the HOD.

Upon requests to Ms Seeko and Mr Ben Leeu of the HOD’s office on progress of the claims and payments we were informed that (1) the HOD was busy with the AG (2) the HOD was still no progress was of applying his mind. We have requested the Acting DG, Mr Chainee to assist the HOD in applying his mind to the Old Debt issue with no success. The HOD was also approached in person by FEDUP and uTshani Fund’ CEO, Abi Khoza but seemed indifferent in dealing with our claims.

We have requested Ms Seeko to provide us with a copy of the house audit report but was advised that permission will have to be granted as the report was the property of FSDHS.

The then situation is that the acting HOD indicated that he, the HOD has no reason to sign off the claims’.Ms Seekoe has not being able to accept the rejected claim back from the HOD’s office as there is no formal reason for rejection.

The newly appointed HOD, Ms Masitha has been approached for a meeting on numerous occasions without success.

We humbly request intervention by the Portfolio Committe as 1000’s of FEDUP members await the funding so that they can continue with the PHP process in various towns in the Free State.

Thanking you.
Rose Molokoane