Polokwane Muni proposes exemptions for low-cost housing beneficiaries
Out of the 1 171 allocated units in Mankweng, only 467 have been transferred and 1 314 remain, while 2 525 units were allocated and 1 586 transferred and 956 remain in Seshego.
POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Municipality is proposing exemptions on the issuing of clearance certificates to some approved Mankweng and Seshego low-cost housing beneficiaries among other areas of its jurisdiction.
It argues that registering and transferring title deeds for state funded property owners do not require clearance as the municipality can keep track of necessary outstanding charges through the property ownership documents.
Part of the title deeds legislation orders that a beneficiary should not owe the municipality, and that local government confirms this through the issuing of a clearance certificate.
In its 2023/24 draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the municipality acknowledged to facing a backlog in the Title Deed Restoration and Post 2014 Subsidy Market Programmes, and said exempting the long clearance process will alleviate the work.
Out of the 1 171 allocated units in Mankweng, only 467 have been transferred and 1 314 remain, while 2 525 units were allocated and 1 586 transferred and 956 remain in Seshego, according to city Mayor, John Mpe.
The two national initiatives are implemented to ensure that all approved beneficiaries of state housing receive their legal proof of property ownership (in the form of a title deed) in a timely and affordable manner; with the state playing a direct enabling role to ensure that this is achieved.
Despite these efforts and residents having expressed their frustration at the snail approach to get the job done, during April’s public consultations on the draft budget, the municipal document also cited some challenges behind the delays.
“Beneficiaries must submit outstanding documents in order to finalise their transfers. Some have not registered, while other properties have been sold. Appointed service providers did not complete the transfers, and we are waiting for the appointment of a new service provider.
“A few houses have also not been claimed by approved beneficiaries. Some houses that are illegally occupied, have also not been allocated,” the document reads.
After extensive consultations with various stakeholders, the municipality will produce an adopted budget for the next financial year soon, with some solutions presented towards fixable challenges, according to Mpe.
