The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Polokwane Municipality to urgently develop an effective policy to address housing.
This after a recent report was submitted to council highlighting that 17 wards were allocated 11 units per ward, totalling 187 units.
The DA is concerned by the lack of transparency surrounding the housing allocation process in Polokwane as there is currently no information available on the exact locations of these units within the wards.
The secrecy further compounds doubt about fairness, accountability, and equitable access for all community members.
Allocation of state housing must be conducted solely as an administrative function in a fair, transparent, and non-political manner, based strictly on need and compliance with established housing policy criteria and beneficiary lists.
The forensic investigation by Bowman Gilfillan previously identified nepotism with regards to EPWP appointments and manipulation of excel spreadsheet databases.
The DA is concerned that without effective policy guiding housing allocations, free from political interference, similar irregularities will occur.
We reject any form of political interference, favouritism or manipulation in the allocation of housing opportunities.
It is unacceptable that councillors or political figures use housing opportunities as tools for political gain or to reward party loyalty.
Every South African deserves equal access to housing opportunities, regardless of their political affiliation or personal connections; housing is a basic human right — not a privilege reserved for the politically connected.