Gauteng's R2 billion land release programme falters

GAUTENG'S ambitious Rapid Land Release Programme (RLRP), which was initiated with a budget of R2 billion, has come under heavy scrutiny.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

Despite its aims to address the pressing housing shortage in the province, only 26 homes have been constructed out of a staggering 10,000 serviced stands earmarked for development.

This comes after MEC Tasneem Motara's startling revelation in the Gauteng Legislature that, despite billions being poured into the RLRP, only 26 houses have been built across areas such as Palm Ridge, Westonaria Borwa, and Wiltsbodal, with other beneficiaries having opted to place a fence to protect their stands.

The RLRP was introduced as a pilot initiative to provide serviced stands and title deeds to qualifying middle-income households; those earning between R3,501 and R7,000 per month who fall outside traditional subsidy and bank finance models.

Motara noted that the department has halted all land acquisitions under the RLRP pending a full review and restructuring. "The Department has halted acquisition of land for RLRP until conclusion of the review and restructuring of the programme. Hence, there are no funds committed to new projects still to be paid."