RDP Housing (Volume 1)

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CONTENTS

06 Look after your RDP house 07 Govt seeks to discipline those selling RDP houses 08 Ask the experts 14 SA’s ‘greenest’ RDP houses are being built in Atlantis 15 Hawks look into RDP housing fraud 16 Cape Town warns of dangers of buying RDP houses 17 Gauteng Human Settlements Kick-Starts Mega Cities Project

MILITARY VETS GET HOUSES

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18 Premier explains decision to appoint Paul Mashatile 19 Gauteng waiting list for housing to be digitised 20 R500m to fix shoddy RDP homes 22 Mpumalanga Human Settlements hands over house to senior citizen 23 Premier Mabuza wants RDP houses for Stenford village

MPS PASS 'PROBLEMATIC' EXPROPRIATION BILL

24 Limpopo Provincial Government injects R1.3 billion to build RDP houses

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25 MEC of Free State wants selling of RDP houses criminalised 26 The North West has official launched the new look RDP house 27 Premier Sylvia Lucas & MEC Botes hand over houses in Noupoort 28 New property owners liable for historical debt 31 Investing in property? Things you should know

HOME LOAN ADVICE FOR FIRST TIME HOUSE BUYERS

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32 Why you need Home Insurance 40 The top emergency numbers every South African should have

CITIZENS ADVICE

Look after your RDP house Many people have fallen victim to various scams involving the sale of RDP houses.

Ms Philile Mbokazi from the Mbokazi Attorneys in Secunda, said it is high time that people wake up and stop wasting their hard earned money by illegally buying RDP houses.

There must be a valid sales contract and transferring attorneys should be appointed to register the transfer in another’s name.

“People are desperate to own houses, but instead they end up losing the little that they have.”

Ms Mbokazi has provided the Ridge Times with useful information that people need to know once they own an RDP house.

Only once registration of transfer takes place will the buyer be the legal owner.

State-subsidised houses, which are commonly known as RDP houses, are built with funds provided by the State.

If you buy an RDP house, you must ensure that the person who sells the house, has not sold the house to other people as well, and that he or she has the right to sell the house.

Occupants of state-subsidised houses are not allowed to sell or vacate their properties for a period of eight years from the date that the house was acquired (transferred to them), without first offering the property to the State.

They must also ensure that payment only takes place on registration of transfer.

If they do leave, the house becomes the property of the State.

An agreement to sell the RDP house before the end of eight years, even if it is an affidavit commissioned at the police station, is not legal and is void, which means that neither party can go to court to enforce the contract.

Section 10A of the Housing Act (as amended) provides that: “Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in any other law, it shall be a condition of every housing subsidy, as defined in the Code, granted to a natural person in terms of any national housing programme for the construction or purchase of a dwelling or serviced site, that such person shall not sell or otherwise alienate his or her dwelling or site within a period of eight years from the date on which the property was acquired by that person unless the dwelling or site has first been offered to the relevant provincial housing department”.

It means that that contract does not exist at all.

The law cannot enforce any legal obligation to either party, especially the disappointed party because they are not entitled to any protective laws as far as contracts are concerned.

Points to remember before you buy an RDP house:

Ms Mbokazi said this section states that if you have been given an RDP house, you are not allowed to sell that house for eight years after receiving it.

* Check when the house was first transferred to the owner.

If the period of eight years has not lapsed, walk away. Do not buy, it is illegal. Do not waste your time with written affidavits, they are not worth the paper they are written on.

“If you no longer need that house or have to move to another place, you must return it to the municipality.

* Ask to see the title deed, it is the only way you will know that the seller has a right to sell the house to you.

“It must be understood that RDP houses cannot even be ‘donated’ to others within the specified time, which is contrary to what most people believe.

* Involve the attorneys, there is no other way of transferring the property without the assistance of an attorney.

“It is only after the specified eight years that the ownership of the house passes on to the beneficiary fully.

* Money cannot be paid to the seller until the house has been transferred to you.

“It is at this point that you will be able to obtain the title deed and be able to sell it should you wish to.”

* A person who has inherited an RDP house from a deceased person, cannot sell the house until it has properly been transferred to them through the process explained above.

The person who wants to sell the house must be the owner (in possession of title deed) or an agent acting on behalf of the owner.

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NATIONAL

Govt seeks to discipline those selling RDP houses

While the state housing subsidy programme specifies that a beneficiary “shall not sell or otherwise alienate his or her dwelling or site within a period of eight years”, no punitive measures are stipulated in the Housing Act, making it hard for the department to discipline those who put their homes up for sale. The department hopes to close this gap.

economic conditions have changed for the better,” she said.

Catering for an impoverished generation In her budget speech in Parliament last month, she said it was very disheartening to learn from research done by the department that the fastest growing property market in South Africa has been from the RDP sector.

“Houses are an asset, which can be leveraged to take even the poorest out of their poverty debt trap. This of course depends on people who are given free housing, the indigent, understanding that they may not sell a house before they have lived in it for at least eight years, and thereafter the first buyer should be government,” said Sisulu.

In response to a question from Inkatha Freedom Party human settlements spokesperson and MP Petros Sithole, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu in a written reply said that since 1994, there have been almost three million RDP houses built as of March 2015, and 3 411 of those have been sold by beneficiaries to private owners.

“This is possibly the only asset they can bequeath their children. The generation we are catering for is a generation that has been deliberately impoverished by apartheid and we would like them to use this as an asset base.”

The minister said it was impossible to take disciplinary actions against people who sold their RDP houses because they were not government employees. “While the Housing Act 107 of 1997, as amended by the Housing Amendment Act 4 of 2001, sets out that a subsidy beneficiary “shall not sell or otherwise alienate his or her dwelling or site within a period of eight years” as a condition of the state housing subsidy programme, no punitive measures are stipulated in this regard. We are looking at closing this lacuna in our law.

So far, however, none of the 3 411 houses have been sold to government, according to the written reply. In a Cape Argus report earlier this year, Bonginkosi Madikizela, Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements, said the eight-year restriction, or pre-emptive clause, was forcing people to sell their houses illegally or informally.

“We can have as many laws as we want but this is difficult to prevent. We are giving houses to people who have nothing to put on the table. A house is not a substitute for a job. That is why people end up selling or renting their house,” he was quoted as saying.

“Our people must be cognisant of the fact that they only qualify once for housing assistance from government and therefore a decision to sell the houses we provide them should not be taken lightly, it should be driven by the fact that their

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We're always happy to hear from you. If you have any RDP Housing questions, feel free to send our expert an email to: loyiso@jozi-media.co.za or send your letter to: ASK THE EXPERT, PO BOX 2990, SUNNINGHILL, JHB, 2157 Hi, Loyiso. I would like to know how to get an rdp housing?

If the RDP housing application is approved the applicant will then receive the house together with the plot of land it is built on & all the relevant services in terms of water & electricity, sewerage etc.

Nombulelo Ndamase – East London

A further subsidy can be applied for by the home owner, in the form of an indigent subsidy which subsidises the cost of the services if the owner earns less than R1000 a month.

Currently statistics show that almost 20% of South African households consist of people living in RDP houses which are government subsidised homes.

For this extra subsidy, home owners need to apply at the indigent office & also need to go through this application process every year as the income status of the resident may change.

It therefore seems that the RDP housing system is a real solution for many people in South Africa, who do not earn enough to qualify for a normal home loan, to have in their own homes.

While this may be providing a solution for many, the waiting lists for RDP housing is significantly large & the quality of these type of low cost houses is often below standard with thin walls & leaking roofs with most of these type of complaints coming from the Western, Eastern & Northern Cape provinces.

CRITERIA TO QUALIFY FOR A RDP HOUSE

However attention is being given to these issues by the authorities so it is definitely worth applying if you qualify.

• Your total household income cannot exceed R3500 per month

Unfortunately it is not as simple as that, as to get an RDP housing application approved, the applicant may not earn more than a certain amount (R3000 per month) which means that people who earn more than the maximum to qualify for an RDP house but less than the required amount to qualify for a home loan, will have a difficult time in getting financing to buy any sort of house.

• You need to be married or live with your partner or have dependents

RDP HOUSING APPLICATION

MORE ISSUES ON RDP HOUSES

To get your house, you need to start the RDP housing application process which begins by contacting your ward councillor in your area & to provide them with all the necessary documentation such as ID documents, proof of income etc.

• Applicants should bear in mind that they will only be able to get one housing subsidy ever & will never be granted another one

A screening process is then performed & the successful candidates identified.

• Any RDP owner wanting to extend or renovate their house before eight years of ownership will need to obtain permission from their local municipality

To be successful with your RDP house application you need to fulfill the following criteria; • You must be a SA citizen with a vaild SA ID document • You need to be over 21 years of age

• You cannot have owned property previously or currently anywhere in South Africa – you need to be a first time home owner Please note that these conditions can change at any time.

• RDP house cannot be sold or rented out – they are provided solely for the applicant’s accommodation

Furthermore in order to qualify for a 100% RDP subsidy you will need to earn between R0 & R3500 per month.

• Special treatment is given to disabled applicants – the design of the house may also be changed to accommodate the special needs of the person’s disability

If an applicant’s income is higher than the maximum amount, the amount of the subsidy will decrease accordingly.

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MIDDLE CLASS INCOME GROUPS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR RDP HOUSING

than a 100 residents. Mercifully, these horror stories are not the norm but illustrate the point that things can go horribly wrong with our man-made structures.

Applying For a Home Loan Is Probably the Only Option For Those Middle Income Groups Who Earn Too Much For a RDP House

In South Africa, we’ve had far too many examples of shoddy building: RDP houses that fell apart even before occupation, illegal structures held together by a wing and a prayer, walls so skew a water level was unlikely to have come near it, falling slabs that killed workers, balconies collapsing underfoot, dodgy designs and structures springing up overnight, with no apparent consultation or plan approval.

For those whose income is too high to be considered for RDP housing will need to apply for a home loan in order to buy or build their own houses.

This however is easier said than done as with the new Credit Act home loans are only granted on affordability once all your usual expenses are taken into account.

It’s not fair to tarnish an entire industry because of a few bad apples, because many reputable companies take pride in their work, but the exceptions to the rule have done enough reputational damage to sully the good guys. To regulate norms and standards in the local building sector, the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC) was established in 1998 in terms of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act as an agency of government.

So while the interest rates are at all time lows, lending institutions are extremely reluctant to grant home loans to applicants whose earnings are borderline.

It isn’t funded by the state, though, nor do proceeds filter back to the Treasury – its revenues are entirely selfgenerated. Its mandate is to protect consumers, regulate the home-building industry, promote building innovations, set standards and improve skills.

Tshepo Nkosi, the council’s corporate communications and stakeholder relations manager, said the agency was formed to protect the poor: “One of the reasons we were created was because of the shoddy workmanship of the RDP houses.

Over time, there have been fewer and fewer complaints.

We’d like to believe it’s because of our active involvement in the sector.”

South African law requires all new homes must be enrolled with the council 15 days before “breaking ground” – this not only entails site inspections but also, if the property is bonded, to allow for banks to release tranches during key phases in development. This should guarantee quality work and give the owner an insurance against any structural issues that may arise.

I want to know if can I ever trust a builder?

Bongi Sithole - Pretoria

In theory, that is, because the complaints against builders and the NHBRC are rife. Many builders (who are unwilling to go on record) accuse it of being a money-making scam (1.3 percent of the value of every new residence goes to the council, which amounts to multimillions each year and a warranty fund in excess of R5 billion) while consumers view it as a toothless authority.

Hi Bongi my sister - “Never trust a builder.” It might be a cliché, but the truth is, inferior buildings have blighted history since ancient times, at huge cost to property and life. The first recorded major building disaster was a cheaply-built amphitheatre in Rome which killed about 20 000 people. The Roman Senate apparently responded to the tragedy by barring cheapskates (or common folk) from hosting gladiator shows and requiring all amphitheatres to be built on sound foundations, inspected and certified.

Nkosi views their role differently: “The home is one of the biggest investments consumers are likely to make, but there doesn’t seem to be very much understanding about the role we play. We’re on a drive to change that and educate the public. Besides roadshows, we’re planning to fit out trucks to take into rural areas – fully-operational offices we can take across country to allow builders to get registered and where consumers can lodge complaints.

In modern-day Greece, a landslide in 2012 in the town of Ropoto caused it to gradually slide down a mountain – luckily, no one was been injured but flimsy foundations and steep inclines were cited as the cause. In 2013 we saw three major disasters: the Rana Plaza collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed 1 130 people (mostly female garment workers and their children in the building’s crèche) and injured 2 500; an illegally occupied building in Thane, India, which killed 71 (a witness said the building collapsed “like a pack of cards within three to four seconds”); and TB Joshua’s church calamity in Nigeria, in which 116 people, mostly South Africans, died.

“We need to protect people. In the past, when people cashed in on their pensions or their life savings, they often built a home for themselves as wealth creation – it’s a big risk. We are the regulator for the building industry. We were created to regularise the social housing industry because the constitution demands that we be given adequate housing.

We also act as a form of insurance. When you build a new home, you need to use a registered NHBRC builder and to register your home with us – we call it enrolment.

Recently, the collapse of a 17-storey apartment block in Tainan, Taiwan, revealed that tin cans and foam were used as filling in the concrete structures. Little wonder it failed catastrophically during the earthquake – a regular occurrence in the region – but also claimed the lives of more

RDP HOUSING

“The 1.3 percent goes towards our warranty fund that gives you a measure of comfort that, when you move in, you give

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the builder a snag list (list of defects) and if he refuses, you have recourse. You can come to us and lay a complaint.

it. If they don’t, we deregister them, tap into the warranty fund and do it on their behalf.”

“We hold your hand during the building process: starting at the foundation level, we send an inspector out to make sure it’s in order. Inspectors are supposed to visit every building site between four to eight times, although builders have told me they rarely see inspectors, and when they do, inspections are as superficial as a quick gloss over and, ‘it looks fine, you’re doing a great job’.”

Important to bear in mind, though, is the fact that they are only concerned with functional issues: “We don’t look at aesthetics, only technical issues, because it’s about safety and quality. The look is between you and the architect.

This is not, Nkosi admits, the way it should be. “If any builder feels they are not being supported, of course they must raise the issue with us because it is their right.

“We need to hear about (inspectors not doing their jobs) because we are required by law to inspect buildings. If you can’t stop something in the early stages, there’s very little recourse a homeowner will have,” he says.

Hotels, government and commercial buildings fall outside the ambit of the NHBRC – their only focus, for now, is on new homes, which includes townhouse complexes and apartment blocks.

“The inspectors are full-time employees of the NHBRC. We have over 200 inspectors nationwide and 23 offices. We are confident we have enough inspectors and we move capacity where we need it.

“A minimum qualification for inspectors is a degree or diploma in the building environment: engineering, architecture, quantity surveying and/or related fields, but there isn’t a national qualification for inspectors. There are efforts to formalise and professionalise inspector training, though: we recently signed a partnership agreement with the SA Council for Project and Construction Management Professions which will enable the development of continuing professional development training programmes that building inspectors will have to undertake in order to maintain their accreditation. This means, in future, inspectors will have to be registered with this body in order to carry out inspections.”

This does mean, for instance, that just about anyone with a background in the built environment could be an inspector, including people who have probably never worked on a building site and wouldn’t understand the ins and outs of building but would still have to assess quality workmanship and structural issues.

The NHBRC believes its courses are sufficient to fill that gap. “The warranty fund is worth over R5bn but we set aside R30m for training builders annually, so if we identify a skills shortage, we offer free, targeted training. We also upskill the youth, women, military veterans or their beneficiaries.

Before they get registered, they need to write a test with us to identify some minimum knowledge and skills.”

In the 2014/2015 financial year, 471 new complaints were lodged with the council, though its annual report points out complaints lodged in a particular year are not necessarily resolved or closed in that particular year. Of those new complaints, 23 percent were maintenance-related, 66 percent related to potentially major structural defects and 11 percent were roof leaks. Nkosi couldn’t say how often rulings were made in favour of the homeowner, but 202 builders had their memberships suspended and 328 disciplinaries were held in 2013/14, compared to 233 and 339, respectively, the following year.

“The legislation is being reviewed because we don’t cover renovations and additions, which are worries for us. It’s a process but until it’s law, (if dangerous extensions or alterations are brought to our attention) we can send inspectors to alert the council to the fact they are not doing their jobs. Another concern is the credit crunch: people are buying sub-standard (non-approved) bricks and other building materials.

“Near Henley-on-Klip, we found a man who was selling bricks cheaply on the side of the road. They weren’t up to standard (we have our own testing facilities at Corobrick).

Our job is also to educate, so we took him off the street and trained him to make proper bricks.”

It’s not a perfect system and alterations and renovations are of concern, but for now, the NHBRC is the only regulatory body mediating in the interests of consumer and builders.

And while both have rights, they also have responsibilities towards each other.

WISE UP Inspections: The five main stages are excavation and foundation, floor slab (substructure), walls (superstructure), roofing and finishes, and a pre-occupation final stage.

The number of inspections depends on the value of the enrolment and the design’s complexity.

Problems?

If the NHBRC inspector identifies a deviation from their building guidelines, a non-compliance certificate will be issued to the builder, who will then be obliged to rectify the issue within a specified time frame.

If they are unable or unwilling to do so, the NHBRC can stop construction and institute disciplinary action against the builder.

To lodge a complaint: If you and your builder can’t resolve your differences in a reasonable manner, you should approach the NHBRC. Notify the builder in writing of all the complaints requiring attention within the applicable time periods set out in Section 13 (2) (b) of the act, keep a copy of the letter of complaint and proof of the date that it was sent to the builder, allow them reasonable access to the property to rectify the issues, and ensure all financial obligations to the builder are met.

What to include in the complaint: Proof of the occupation date of the home, if applicable (for example, occupation certificate), proof of notification to the builder within the necessary time periods, and a complete list of the items of dispute.

Help at hand: Phone the NHBRC’s toll-free number 0800 200 824, or visit their site and complete the complaint form.

“You have to judge every case by its merits. Both sides need to be heard. So if the roof is leaking, we ask the builder to fix

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BEFORE YOU BUILD • Check the reputation of the home builder by either calling the NHBRC or through its website.

• Ask to see the builder’s NHBRC registration certificate.

• Call the NHBRC to confirm that the builder is still registered.

• Speak to others who have used the builder’s services in the past.

• Make sure that the builder gives you a contract that covers the building of your home.

• Before signing the contract, make sure that you have read and understood, and that the description of the work to be done and specifications of materials, finishes and fittings to be provided is in accordance with your requirements.

Variations to these during the course of the contract can be costly. If you aren’t sure about what is being offered, ask the builder for clarity or get legal advice.

• Carefully check the terms and conditions of the building contract and keep a copy of the written agreement and all other documents.

• Never pay in advance for work – only authorise payment once work has been completed to your satisfaction.

• Systematically inspect your home and tick off items room by room. Check that the interiors, exteriors and the site boundaries been correctly and clearly marked,

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debris cleared, and that all contractual work/ finishes are correct.

• Some builders will ask you to sign a form saying that everything is in order. This is reasonable, because the time to report a crack in a pane of glass or a chip in the bath has to be the date of entry. Later on, it will be impossible to say who caused the crack or the chip.

Hi Loyiso is it possible if you can tell me how to get in touch with the National Department of Housing.

Nxumalo Mangena – Nkandla, KZN Hi Nxumalo, please contact the Department to the contacts below; E-mail: info@dhs.gov.za Call Centre: 0800 1(HOUSE) 46873 Weekdays 6a.m - 10p.m Fax Number: 012 341 8512 Fraud & Corruption: 0800 701 701 Address: Govan Mbeki House, 240 Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0002 Postal Address: DHS Private Bag X644, Pretoria, 0001

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PROVINCIAL UPDATES

SA’s ‘greenest’ RDP houses are being built in Atlantis Some of the most eco-friendly and energyefficient RDP houses in South Africa are being built at the Witsand housing development for 2400 families in Atlantis.

The community-driven garden village, just off the Old Mamre Road, was initiated by the City of Cape Town, and is setting a national benchmark for sustainable living for lowcost housing developments.

Funded by the Western Cape Provincial Government, the eco-village is based on integrated Energy Environment Empowerment-Cost Optimization (iEEECO) principles aimed mainly at reducing water and energy consumption.

The prime contractors are the Witsand iEEECO Housing Beneficiary Support Organisation (WEHBSO), assisted by the Witsand Housing Block Committee.

During Phase 1, WEHBSO and PEER Africa/ASCH/Nadeson created about 500 serviced stands, and the community managed the construction of 452 energy-efficient RDP houses.

The construction of Phase 2 has begun and another 1 835 houses are due to be built within the next three years.

“The entire iEEECO site plan was designed to maximise the natural use of solar energy and natural ventilation,” says Duke Gumede, Senior Project Coordinator in the City’s Housing Directorate.

Measuring between 36m2 and 40m2 in size, each RDP house consists of a north facing open plan lounge and kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom cum toilet.

There are also two prototype double storey units of 50m2 , each fitted with solar geysers, photovoltaic modules

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for lighting and cell phone charging, and roofwater and stormwater recovery systems.

“As part of the overall iEEECO plan which incorporates the City’s Green Building and Smart Living guidelines, the City provided extra funding for the creation of ‘green spaces’ throughout the eco-village.

In partnership with an NGO, Green Communities, the City provided each household with a choice of indigenous trees, bushes, flowers, herbs and vegetables for their own gardens.

The first 71 beneficiaries to move into their own houses in the Witsand eco-village were chosen from the housing waiting list which was first registered with the City in 2000.

They had previously lived on the site in informal dwellings.

“We are now able to enjoy our own home-grown vegetables and decorate our homes with freshly picked flowers from our own gardens,” says 38-year old homeowner,Tebello Nyai.

Students from the Raymond Ackerman Graduate School of Business also helped to plant hundreds of trees and install three hydrophonic vegetable tunnels in the village.

The tunnels will be managed as a commercial enterprise to raise funds for further greening initiatives.

“The is a first step in promoting food security for the site and empowering the community. Gardening is made easier by the roofwater and stormwater recovery system,” says Gumede.

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Hawks look into RDP housing fraud At least 45 cases of fraud involving state-subsidised houses in Du Noon have been opened with the Hawks following community meetings called by the investigations unit.

The investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, commonly known as the Hawks, follows a Parliamentary request to clamp down on the fraudulent sales of state subsidised houses in Cape Town.

The Hawks began the investigative process on February 8, focussing on Du Noon and Delft.

At a meeting on February 8, 33 residents came forward with “eligible” cases pointing to fraud being committed in state-subsidised housing schemes, said provincial police spokesperson Andre Traut.

These included people who were receiving water and electricity bills for houses they had never occupied; having title deeds for houses that had not been handed over to them; and those who had never been given occupation of a house despite being in receipt of a letter from government that one had been awarded to them.

And at a second meeting this Saturday, a Hawks investigating officer unofficially confirmed that they had filed “more than 12 eligible cases”, bringing the total to more than 45.

Phumzile Zenzwa, 41, is one of the residents who filed a case on Saturday.

Zenzwa said he had been renting a one-roomed shack in Joe Slovo informal settlement near Milnerton since 1999, which he shared with his son and his girlfriend.

He said last year, when he went to check the status of his housing subsidy application at the City’s Blaauwberg municipal office, he found that his application had already been approved, with a house in Du Noon’s Jasmine Close assigned to him.

“I was shocked when I learnt that I have a house. All along I have been renting a shack for R350 a month,” he said.

He now has a title deed, but has not set foot in the house, which is occupied by someone else.

He said with the Hawks stepping in, he hoped justice would prevail and he would finally receive his house.

The investigation follows disturbing findings by the provincial Human Settlement Department late last year.

A four-month investigation by the department in Philippi’s Samora Machel and Khayelitsha’s Mandela Park, revealed that “up to a third” of all state-subsidised houses in those areas could be illegally occupied.

The report noted that in Samora Machel 1 457 out of 4139 (35%) houses were potentially illegally occupied.

Similarly in Du Noon in 2008, the then Provincial Department of Local Government and Housing appointed research company Professional Mobile Mapping (PPM) to conduct a “blitz occupancy audit” in Du Noon.

PPM randomly selected 505 state-subsidised houses out of 2 RDP HOUSING

969 in Du Noon.

The survey found that 201 occupants were registered on both the housing subsidy system and deeds office, 61 occupants were only registered on the housing subsidy system, while 235 occupants were not registered on either the housing subsidy system or at the deeds office.

One occupant was only registered at the deeds office and seven houses were occupied by foreign nationals who could not prove ownership.

The report stated that Community Development Workers (CDW’s) who helped conducting the audit found that some people had unlawfully sold their state-subsidised houses, some rented their house out while others simply swapped houses amongst each other.

The CWDs also alleged that contractors appointed to administer the registration of state-subsidised housing were “corrupt”.

In March last year the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) Du Noon branch embarked on their own clampdown of fraudulently sold state-subsidised houses and found eight houses had been sold illegally.

Four of these appeared to have been sold by a self-styled property agent who is currently being sought by the Police after cases were opened against her.

Du Noon ward councillor Lubabalo Makeleni, who was then Sanco coordinator, said he welcomed the involvement of the Hawks.

He said at the first community meeting called by the Hawks, “people came forward saying they received water bills for a house but they are staying in shacks”.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Human Settlement chair Nomhle Dambuza said the call to investigate the occupation of state-subsidised houses came after the committee visited four provinces in 2009 and found that in many cases the people occupying state-subsidised houses “are not rightful owners”.

She said the Human Settlement Department reported back to Parliament after conducting an occupancy study in four provinces but they had to re-request that the study be conducted in all provinces.

“The Department of Human Settlement should conduct a full occupancy audit of who is occupying state subsidised houses and what are the reasons,” said Dambuza.

“We want to know what the actual problem is. Why the houses are not occupied by rightful owners”.

Although the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements was unaware of the Hawks investigations in Du Noon and Delft, spokesperson Anthony Hazell said they welcomed the investigation.

“We would be willing to assist in any way we can to clamp down on corruption and fraud in our province,” said Hazell.

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Cape Town warns of dangers of buying RDP houses The City of Cape Town has warned potential buyers of government RDP houses to make sure that the house they intended buying could be sold legally.

The City of Cape Town has warned potential buyers of government RDP houses to make sure that the house they intended buying could be sold legally.

“Only properties that are outside of the eight-year preemptive restriction period can be sold or advertised for selling legally.

The City urged residents to be careful when buying a Statesubsidised dwelling, commonly referred to as an RDP house, as there were restrictions on the sale of these houses, especially within the first few years following the acquisition of the property by beneficiaries.

“I urge those who receive subsidised housing to view their home as a great asset. To this end, the City hosts educational sessions with its beneficiaries to explain the benefit of owning and retaining an asset.

In accordance with the National Housing Act, the sale of an RDP house was forbidden for eight years after the beneficiary had acquired the house, unless the Western Cape Government had approved the sale.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Benedicta van Minnen, said: “Illegal sales are unfortunately taking place outside of the official Deeds Office process of transfer and registration of title.

This is happening without the City or the relevant authority being involved.

Every so often we receive heartbreaking reports of a buyer who has paid money for an RDP house, which it turns out may not be sold as it is in the prohibited period.

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“We understand that the majority of our beneficiaries were prevented from owning property under the apartheid regime.

As a City, we therefore dedicate significant resources to the education of beneficiaries of subsidised housing – in terms of financial management, basic legal advice, general home maintenance and repairs, and establishing food gardens to increase food security,” Van Minnen said.

“I would advise residents that if you are looking into buying an RDP house, you make sure that the property is not subject to the restrictive conditions and, if in doubt, approach your local housing office or the Western Cape Government’s Housing Tribunal for more information,” added Van Minnen.

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Gauteng Human Settlements Kick-Starts Mega Cities Project

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has invited Requests For Proposal from the built industry to contribute in the creation of new housing Mega Projects in Gauteng, MEC Jacob Mamabolo announced during his budget vote speech.

"The Department has initiated 2 processes to invite private sector companies to participate and submit Requests for Proposal to develop mega projects within the development corridors. Tender is out and currently awaiting Supply Chain Management to finalise procurement processes. In addition a call will be issued for companies to come forward to provide capacity for the development of the development corridors," said Mamabolo.

Mamabolo said that the five economic development corridors which were announced by Premier David Makhura represent a radical spatial transformation of Gauteng from the apartheid type-planning to an inclusive and people-centred planning that takes into consideration the holistic need of the citizens of the province.

"We define the Mega Projects as a radical housing delivery management paradigm that seeks to move away from the current inefficient model to projects of a yield of no less than 15 000 units, either as an existing development cluster or as a new nodal development project," he said.

He said that key components of a Mega Project included

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secure and reliable biometric technology for beneficiary registration that will link subsidy to title deeds, complete eradication and basic provision informal settlements, including in-situ upgrading, de-congestion and reorganisation of space, mixed housing typologies to cater for various housing market segments, including those that fall out of the government subsidy bracket and provision of integrated primary (bulk) and secondary infrastructure", MEC Mamabolo said.

Mamabolo said Mega Projects will also create jobs through business complexes and light industry, also promote cultural diversity and socially cohesive communities.

Mamabolo said for the total budget of the department is just under R6billion.

"This budget will allow us to create human settlements opportunities in various programmes including upgrading of informal settlements, FLISP, mixed housing development, rental, urban renewal programmes and mining towns," he said.

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Premier explains decision to appoint Paul Mashatile David Makhura has made 3 changes to his cabinet including appointing Mashatile as MEC for Human Settlements.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the decision to appoint Paul Mashatile to his cabinet was made by the national and provincial African National Congress (ANC) leadership.

to be done to retain power in Gauteng metros.

Makhura has made three changes to his provincial cabinet, including appointing Mashatile as MEC for Human Settlements and Co-operative Governance.

Outgoing Social Development MEC Molebatsi Bopape has left the cabinet.

Infrastructural Development MEC Nandi Mayathula Khoza moves to Social Development while Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo will fill her position.

Outgoing Social Development MEC Molebatsi Bopape has left the cabinet.

Makhura says bringing Mashatile back into his cabinet will improve local government at a critical time.

He says the ANC wants to retain local municipalities and the national and provincial leadership have agreed to the move.

“The decision is a decision of the collective and I am responsible for running Gauteng government.”

But the premier repeatedly says his decisions are to strengthen local government's capacity, which is different from the ANC’s election strategy.

“It’s me who was making the case why I need Mashatile here in Gauteng.”

Makhura says Mashatile will resign from his post in Parliament today and will be sworn in to his new position this week.

Mashatile is now in the strange position of answering to Makhura in government and acting as his leader in the ANC. But the two men have had a close working relationship for many years.

Mashatile is also now back as an MEC, having previously been premier himself.

But he is unlikely to see this as a demotion.

His appointment could be seen as a sign that the ANC itself is growing increasingly worried about losing power in Tshwane and possibly even Johannesburg.

Makhura says bringing Mashatile back into his cabinet will improve local government at a critical time.

He says the ANC wants to retain local municipalities and the national and provincial leadership have agreed to the move.

“The decision is a decision of the collective and I am responsible for running Gauteng government.”

But the premier repeatedly says his decisions are to strengthen local government's capacity, which is different from the ANC’s election strategy.

“It’s me who was making the case why I need Mashatile here in Gauteng.”

Makhura says Mashatile will resign from his post in Parliament today and will be sworn in to his new position this week.

Mashatile is now in the strange position of answering to Makhura in government and acting as his leader in the ANC. But the two men have had a close working relationship for many years.

Mashatile is also now back as an MEC, having previously been premier himself.

But he is unlikely to see this as a demotion.

Rather, he might see this as a chance to focus on what needs to be done to retain power in Gauteng metros.

His appointment could be seen as a sign that the ANC itself is growing increasingly worried about losing power in Tshwane and possibly even Johannesburg.

Rather, he might see this as a chance to focus on what needs

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Gauteng waiting list for housing to be digitised THE Gauteng department of human settlements is looking to digitise the province’s waiting list for low-cost housing and will incorporate a biometric system that cannot be manipulated, MEC Jacob Mamabolo says.

This comes as the province is gearing up for increased demand for housing from both internal and foreign migrants and thousands of others expecting the department to provide them with low-cost rental housing and serviced stands.

The housing waiting list — along with a similar list in Johannesburg — has been dogged by complaints over its effectiveness, amid speculation about whether it actually exists. Gauteng has an estimated 625 informal settlements.

But according to the department of human settlements, not all informal settlement dwellers will qualify for RDP houses as some do not fall in the narrow salary bracket and would be better served with low-cost rental and serviced stands.

In his state of the province address on Monday, Gauteng Premier David Makhura spoke of plans to build six new cities based in economic corridors.

Mr Makhura said 140,000 housing units were earmarked for Lion Park, in Diepsloot East, as well as for Fleurhof, Cosmo City, Malibongwe Ridge and Goud Rand. Mr Mamabolo briefed Diepsloot residents during a provincial government

imbizo on Tuesday. Diepsloot is one of Johannesburg’s poorest and among its worst crime-affected areas. Mr Makhura also referred to a Lanseria Airport logistics hub, saying that to date the private sector had invested at least R500m in capital expenditure for the development of the airport.

Mr Mamabolo said the proposed logistics hub, housing developments and the Steyn City development would provide land for the development of a new city in the Diepsloot area.

Many residents at the imbizo complained about the housing backlog in the township, which in 2011 had an estimated population of more than 130,000 spread over 12km². The provincial department has said it would build 8,400 houses in Diepsloot East.

Some community members were doubtful about whether the developments would ever come to fruition. Diepsloot resident Thabiso Kola said he had been waiting since 2001 to get an RDP house.

City of Tshwane to build low cost rental units near CBD The City of Tshwane is gearing up to build low cost rental units near the Central Business District (CBD) for people earning between R2500 and R7500.

This comes as the City turned the sod for the construction of the 900 unit social housing project consisting of three bedroom units.

Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa says the project will reverse the apartheid legacy of placing blacks in the periphery of city centres.

The area was made up of a culturally diverse community.

It's more like the District Six of Gauteng and during the Group Areas Act, forced removals saw people who were staying in the place, relocated to single race townships, away from the city centre.

In 1945, black residents were relocated to Atteridgeville, while in 1963 coloureds were relocated to Eersterust and Indians to Laudium in 1968.

“We are confident that the majority of those are people who never had any land value, asset value, people who never had decent housing and predominantly the majority of them will be black [people],” adds Ramokgopa.

Housing Company Tshwane CEO Tshepo Phetla says, “We are looking at people who are earning between R2500 and R7000 who do not qualify for a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) home, who also do not qualify for a loan.”

Costs will be covered by the National and Gauteng Departments of Human Settlement, together with the City Tshwane.

The R400 million project is expected to be completed in two years.

Now it’s hoped the construction of the rental units will address injustices of the past.

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R500m to fix shoddy RDP homes THE Eastern Cape Human Settlements Department will spend R500-million this financial year to fix shoddy work on low-cost houses built earlier for the poor. The project, according to the department, forms part of a current national Human Settlements Department project in South Africa.

The money will be used to fix major and minor defects, while some homes built before 1994, mostly two-roomed houses, will be extended.

Sicwetsha said construction companies hoping to get the work would be screened.

Many of the post-1994 RDP houses in the Eastern Cape have already developed dangerous cracks, while some were built without proper foundations.

Housing companies who failed the people in the past, would not get another crack at the job.

Eastern Cape human settlements spokesman, Lwandile Sicwetsha, said the project sought to restore dignity to the people of the Eastern Cape.

“Beside the shoddy work which was done then, which in many cases was not monitored by the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC), the department wants to bring back the dignity of the people who live in these houses.

“About R87000 will be spent on each house and we are expecting 5461 homes to be targeted this financial year,” said Sicwetsha.

Last month, the department advertised for construction companies to bid for the job.

Four years ago, the Daily Dispatch’s Broken Homes investigation revealed how RDP houses had been abandoned by builders, with many falling apart.

The investigation led to a government promise to fix the houses. Then human settlements MEC, Nombulelo Mabandla, who has since died, promised many houses would be renovated.

Last week, current human settlements MEC Helen SaulsAugust said she was not proud of the condition of the homes.

“The NHBRC is assisting to check on quality inspection.”

“Those blacklisted companies won’t be afforded a chance and we have blacklisted a number of companies.”

Successful bidders would be closely monitored, said Sicwetsha.

This multi-million rand rectification project has been welcomed by residents whose houses have been falling apart.

The Dispatch last week visited Fort Beaufort and met families who complained of shoddy work.

Lucay Wharhh of Fort Beaufort said his father Johannes Hewitt had complained bitterly about defects but no one was willing to help.

“Almost immediately after my father occupied this house, it started to crack. As you can see it’s not habitable,” said Wharhh.

Wharhh’s neighbour, Nandipha Doyi, said their home was cold and had not been built professionally. “ I doubt if they were experienced builders. This is shoddy work!”

She said thugs did not need not to break doors or windows to gain access:

“The money could have been used for other projects,” she said.

“They just remove bricks at the back of these houses and gain entry. That’s how badly these houses were built,” said Doyi.

Of the 5461 houses in line to be fixed, more than 2200 have major defects, and more than 1500 have minor defects.

So far the department has rectified 4300 homes in the last financial year.

Those with major defects will get a makeover.

“In all this, we are asking beneficiaries to be active participants in their own development,” said Sicwetsha

Areas mainly affected are Fort Beaufort, Cradock and Middleburg.

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Military Vets get houses Human Settlements deputy minister, Zoe KotaFredericks has handed over 10 houses to military veterans in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. The handover forms part of a multi-million rand project aimed at addressing the housing needs of veterans from various military organisations. The national programme will see over 5000 military veterans receive new homes.

In the Eastern Cape, over 100 veterans stand to receive new homes during this financial year. The department will spend over R40 million on this project.

Kota-Fredericks says the hand over is an indication of their commitment to the contribution the veterans made to the liberation struggle.

"This is indeed to give an honour and recognition to those who have served this country when it was not fashionable to do so. They have lost their youth, they have lost their families and they are destitute. The government has agreed to build them houses and you can see that the houses they are building here are of good quality."

South African Military Veterans Association, Thembile Magingxi, says they're happy as some of their members were destitute.

The houses are much bigger than ordinary RDP houses and come with a carport.

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One of the beneficiaries, Nomantombi Ncethese, says her life has changed for the better. "I thank the government very much in my life. You saved my life. Now I'm going to sleep in my house."

President of the South African Military Veterans Association, Thembile Magingxi, says they're happy as some of their members were destitute.

"I'm excited because one of the beneficiaries here is a guy whom at one stage I thought was dead because he was shot.

I see him here so very excited. He was saying to me some people think he is drunk . He is not drunk he is excited because he never thought he would leave that mkhukhu he is living in for a house."

Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu will return to Lukhanji Municipality in December to hand over the completed housing complex to the veterans.

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Mpumalanga Human Settlements hands over house to senior citizen At long last, Gogo Olina Theledi from Graskop in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality in Mpumalanga has finally received her RDP house which was illegally occupied for two years. 55-year old Theledi moved back to her beautiful RDP after the illegal occupant vacated the house following an intervention by the Department of Human Settlements.

This incident happened when a group of invaders illegally moved to parts of the 2013 housing project immediately after completion in the area. The occupant who illegally occupied Gogo Theledi’s house was engaged by the department and the municipality and agreed to move out from the house.

The delegation undertook a visit to the house (Stand 1081) and found that there is a lady occupying the house as confirmed by neighbours. It was established that the illegal occupant works at a local lodge which was subsequently visited to talk to her.

During the discussion, she acknowledged her wrong doing but charged that she also applied for a house but yet to be allocated one. Receiving her house keys, Ms Theledi couldn’t contain her emotion. “I almost lost hope that one day I will own a proper house, it is cold here and always drizzling but today I am going to sleep in a warm house” she

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said. She concluded by thanking the Department and the Acting Municipal Manager for their intervention. She was ushered into her house by Department’s Ehlanzeni District Head, Mr Roy Ledwaba, Councillor Rejoice Malatjie and some municipal officials. MEC Violet Siwela has urged members of the public who are on housing waiting lists to be patient and await their turn as projects are continuously being rolled out in municipalities. “The Department is doing all it can to ensure that communities are settled in an integrated sustainable manner by prioritising the elderly, people with disabilities and child-headed households in housing provision”, charged MEC Siwela. The Department is working closely with municipalities to ensure that such acts are tackled and further condemns the illegal occupation of government’s property including low cost houses (RDP) by errant community members. The project was delivered through the informal settlements upgrading programme.

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Premier Mabuza wants RDP houses for Stenford village

Mpumalanga Premier has called for the Stenford village outside Hazyview to be provided with government RDP houses following the appalling conditions they are living in.

Mabuza visited the area on Friday [13 March 2015] to hand over two houses of his Kancane Kancane initiative of reaching out to those individuals who have not been able to receive the RDP housing allocation from government.

Handing the houses to the two destitute families of Mabuza and Mavimbela respectively, the Premier felt the whole village needed to be provided with RDP houses, as the situation was dire for all the households nearby.

He called on the provincial government to work with Mbombela Local Municipality to ensure that village which is a portion of land situated in between Mbombela and Bushbuckridge municipalities was provided with RDP houses.

“In as much as I am here to hand over the two houses to these families, it is clear that all the homes in this village do not have houses, I want my office to work with Mbombela Municipality and ensure that something is done speedily.

“It is touching nevertheless to see the rest of the villagers coming to celebrate with these two families regardless of their similar situation. As I was driving around, I could see that almost every household does not have a house, we must do something urgently,” said Mabuza.

Handing over a house to an unemployed 56-year old and single mother of nine children, Ms Julia Mabuza, who survives on social grants, the Premier said she was fortunate that the rains that would come, will never find her as she now had shelter for herself and her children.

The Premier instructed the social workers that Ms Mabuza’s children be taken to a clinic for treatment as they did not look healthy.

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Appreciating the house from the Premier, an elated Ms Mabuza was also not shy to ask the Premier for a toilet saying the lack of toilet at her home troubled her especially when she had to go to other people’s homes to request to use it.

Ms Mabuza had been looking after her children ever since her husband died some many years ago and had been surviving on social grants.

“If it was not for my neighbours who had always been supporting me, I would have long died before I could see this house. I am grateful for the house, but I would appreciate if the Premier could also assist us with a toilet,” she said.

Handing over another house at a Mavimbela family of five children in the same vicinity, which had been living in a one-roomed mud house for the rest of their lives, the Premier humbly requested the deprived family to stop getting more children, as their situation was also terrible.

He was shocked that the mother of the family, a 37-year old and her 17-year old daughter who stopped school in grade 4 both had small babies respectively.

“We do not have a problem with you having babies, the challenge is when children are hungry, it becomes a problem for all of us including the government. Your daughter should go back to school and get education,” said Mabuza.

The Premier further appreciated the sponsors of the houses, Moedi Chattered Accountants, saying they displayed the spirit of Ubuntu who spent more than R300 000 for both houses.

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Limpopo Provincial Government injects R1.3 billion to build RDP houses The Limpopo Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs has released the R1.3 billion grant to build RDP houses.

The grant was held by the National Human Settlement Department following the forensic investigation conducted in relation of tenders for the 2013/14 financial year.

Department spokesperson, Motupa Selomo says the investigations revealed that there was corruption in the awarding of tenders.

He says the newly appointed contractors have up to the end of March to build the 500 RDP houses.

"We have given them the deadline of 31st of March 2014 to make sure that all projects are actually finalised. We have requested them to work under pressure to make sure that they give what belongs to beneficiaries in the form of houses. The houses that are supposed to be finished between now and March are about 500 houses."

Motupa says disciplinary action will be taken against officials found guilty of that corruption.

Housing database to speed up service delivery in Limpopo The Limpopo Department of Local Government and Housing has launched a housing database in an attempt to turnaround the backlog of housing delivery in the province.

The housing demand database, which will replace the existing housing waiting list in the province, will help the department to plan efficiently as well as making sure that houses are allocated to rightful beneficiaries.

According to the departmental spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, residents will be expected to bring their Identity Documents (IDs) to register on the new system.

Mr Monyela said the demand database is meant to accelerate the delivery of housing as well as provide the department with the accurate details of all beneficiaries in need of housing in the province.

It is a working tool aimed at improving the information system for people applying for housing assistance in the province. The campaign will help the department to allocate houses according to peoples' needs, choices and affordability.

government subsidies and in need of housing products ranging from free Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing, to rental and bonded housing, households earning up to R7 500 will be registered on the demand database.

"The housing waiting list only allowed us to register for the RDP housing demand and this has made it difficult for us to plan appropriately as a substantial number of people in the province are looking for alternative accommodation such as affordable rental and subsidised housing," he said.

With the new system, Limpopo residents who require houses will be properly assisted.

The department has planned to pilot its new housing demand database campaign in ten municipalities across the province.

The municipalities are Makhado, Ba-Phalaborwa, Elias Motsoaledi, Greater Tubatse, Greater Giyani, Greater Tzaneen, Lephalale, Mokgalakwena, Polokwane and Thabazimbi.

Unlike the waiting list, all households qualifying for various

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MEC of Free State wants selling of RDP houses criminalised Those who sell the houses they receive under the government’s RDP programme will face criminal charges should human settlements MEC Olly Mlamleli get her way.

Under current laws, beneficiaries can only sell their house – with government approval – after occupying it for at least eight years.

Mlamleli also cautioned would-be buyers of RDP houses to do so at their own peril as they would not live to see the day the title deeds of the houses are registered in their names.

But beneficiaries have been selling their houses before the lapse of that period, forcing Mlamleli to seek radical measures to stop the practice that has marred the RDP programme over the years.

“In principle these houses are not for sale – they are given to poor and needy people so that they can raise their families in proper shelter, and be an inheritance to generations of families to come,” the MEC said.

She now wants the Free State provincial legislature to pass a law that will curb the practice.

Mlamleli also had a word of advice for married women who for any reason are no longer living with their husbands in their RDP houses to know that as long as they remain legally married the houses will be still theirs too.

Addressing residents of the farming town of Vrede, about 400km northeast of Bloemfontein, Mlamleli said her department was tired of “sweet-talking” RDP beneficiaries to refrain from selling their houses.

“We are now talking as government to come up with a law that will see those who sell houses which they pretended to be desperately in need of when applying to be arrested, prosecuted and jailed if possible,” she said.

“Why apply for an RDP house when you know you do not need it? That house could have been given to someone else but you for all I care!”

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She said the only way a married woman in a non-formal break-up predicament can apply for her own RDP house is if she gets divorced from her husband through the courts.

“It should no longer be a taboo to be a divorcee, so stop hiding yourselves as if you did something wrong,” Mlamleli said. “If things did not work out why feel ashamed? At the end of the day you are the one left with the burden of raising the children and they need a home.”

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The North West has official launched the new look RDP house The North West has official launched the new look RDP house that will be the common feature of houses to be build in the North West with effect from this year. The house has more features than the previous houses that were built in the province but same in size.

The department launched the house during the recent provincial Govan Mbeki awards held in Phokeng outside Rustenburg.

She said that what government is doing is to make sure that poor people of this country are cared for and that their dignity is restored.

“The New look house will be 45 square meters, with big windows, phase brick, plastered from inside, with gutters, both and basin inside. According the Departmental MEC Nono Maloyi the new houses will be a common feature in the province as from this financial year. He said that the houses will be of quality and will further enhance the face and the dignity of RDP houses build in the province” departmental spokesperson Ben Bole said.

MEC Maloyi called on the winners of different awards to make sure that the North West defends its title of being the number one province in the country in terms of housing delivery. He further encouraged women to work harder and dominate the field previously known to be a male territory.

“We want to make sure that whatever we are building is value for money. This is the first project countrywide, and as always we set the trend. We will continue to ensure quality and the face lift will further give our houses dignity.

This will also make our beneficiaries to treasure and take care of the houses we are giving them as government,” said Maloyi.

Also who attended the event was the Minister of Human Settlements Conny September. The minister encouraged contractors to continue to assist government in making sure that deserving beneficiaries are given quality shelter and that their lives are changed for the better.

The best women contractor category was scooped by SunSuccess projects for the 600 houses they build Groot Marico, while the best Community Residential Unit was won by Khenta projects which is also lead by a woman. Agisanang Developers won the best informal settlements eradication category while Tsholetsanang won the best Youth category.

“The winners will represent the province at the national Govan Mbeki awards. The Govan Mbeki awards are meant to motivate all stakeholders in the Human Settlements space to harness the human and other resources in accelerating delivery. The awards are further set to honor role players in the housing value chain that have committed to partner with government in building sustainable human settlements” Bole said.

Premier Sylvia Lucas & MEC Botes hand over houses in Noupoort

The Premier of the Northern Cape, Mme Sylvia Lucas accompanied by the MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional handed over 10 Breaking New Ground houses in Noupoort on the 17th of November 2015. The houses were part of the Noupoort 33 Housing Project which was facilitated by the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in joint cooperation with Umsobomvu Local Municipality. The Project encompassed demolishing the old dilapidated RDP houses which were built pre-1994 in Noupoort. The project which was valued at R6.3 Million entailed construction of 33 houses with the following specifications: • 40 square meter • Two Private rooms • Bathroom with bathtub • Toilet • Wash hand basin • Open plan kitchen and lounge / lounge with sink The houses were built in accordance with the National Home Builders Registration Council standards. The event was attended by the Premier of Northern Cape, Sylvia Lucas, the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Alvin Botes, The Executive Mayor of Pixley ka Seme District Municipality, Cllr J.Z Lolwana, The Speaker of the District Municipality, Cllr

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M. Kibi and the Mayor of Umsobomvu Local Municipality, Cllr N. Hermans. Addressing more than 800 community members of Noupoort, The premier stated that government is implementing what the freedom charter has envisioned “The Provincial Government does not do promises, but it commits and it fulfills its commitments” Premier Sylvia Lucas emphasized government is committed to the delivery of quality human settlements “We want to make sure that we use public resources in the best possible way to ensure that our people get the best services from government. It is our Government’s conviction that every individual particularly in in the Northern Cape has the right to adequate housing without discrimination” Mary Miles, a beneficiary who will be celebrating her 63rd birthday on the 18th of November was elated when she received the house “im happy that the ANC-led Government has honoured its commitment of providing me and my family with a house, it’s a birthday present , thank you very premier and MEC “. MEC Alvin Botes stated that the provision of human settlements is part of Provincial Government’s goal towards building 65 000 Breaking New Ground Houses in the province.

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HOME OWNERS

New property owners liable for historical debt This emerged following the judgment handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) at the end of last month, which ruled that new property owners can be held liable for historic debts dating back three decades. Given that about 326 000 properties are purchased and sold each year, this could have a drastic effect on the market.

As the law stood before, a seller was liable only for debts incurred over the past two years for electricity, water and other services, and 30 years for rates in terms of section 118 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act in order to obtain a clearance certificate.

The SCA case involves a matter between the City of Tshwane and Peregrine Joseph Mitchell, who purchased a property in Tshwane in 2013. He was told he had to pay R232 828 for a clearance certificate, but he claimed that in terms of section 118, he was liable to pay only R126 600 for debt due for the previous two years.

He obtained the certificate and later resold the property.But the council refused to connect services for the new owner, claiming there was historical debt owing of R106 200.

The matter went to the Gauteng Division of the High Court, which found that new owners were not liable for the historic debt.

This then went to the SCA, which held that the hypothec, or lien, that exists in favour of the local municipality to secure amounts owing by the owner of a property to that municipality for rates and services is not extinguished by the transfer of the property from the owner who incurred the debts.

This judgment, according to lawyers specialising in commercial and residential property practice and litigation, could have catastrophic implications for property owners.

One of the attorneys, Chantelle Gladwin, said the judgment was based on the court’s interpretation of section 118 as interpreted against the backdrop of the South African common law relating to hypothecs.

“The implications for property owners are huge. This means that a municipality can take legal action against the present owner of a property for any other amounts owing by any prior owner of that property. This action can range from suing for the old owner’s debts and attaching and selling the property itself,” Gladwin said.

“This has major implications for banks too, because the municipality would take the proceeds of the sale of the property to settle whatever is owing, and only then, anything remaining would be paid to the bondholder, and thereafter to the owner.”

Gladwin said that given the problems municipalities have with incorrect billing, faulty meters, incorrect meter numbers, illegal electricity and water connections, and meter tampering, it could be a nightmare for new owners as they would be unable to prove anything going back a

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number of years.

The same problem exists with the property rates.

“If an owner was being charged rates based on an incorrect valuation, and five or six years after selling the property, the result of a review of the property valuation that applied to the prior valuation roll was that it was undervalued by several million rand, this could result in the new owner receiving a rates bill of several hundreds of thousands of rand for rates that should have been billed to the old owner before transfer,” she said.

The unfortunate thing was that there was very little, if anything, that the new owner could do, other than contact the previous owner, who might be dead, have left the country, have ceased to exist as a juristic person, have not kept any records, or destroyed records older than a few years.

“Basically, no property owner is safe, as no matter how much homework they do before purchasing a property, they can never be 100 percent sure that someone else’s debt will not appear out of the woodwork to haunt you,” Gladwin said.

This affects tenants as well because in many municipal jurisdictions, municipalities have by-laws that enable them to hold tenants and other occupiers of properties liable for charges, so this means that even tenants, who have never been the owners of the property, may be held liable for debts incurred.

“Again, there is no way for a tenant to screen a prospective property to ensure this will not happen.”

The only thing people could do was a thorough investigation into the chances of any old debt popping up, and taking out insurance to cover the risk. Purchasers needed to insist that sellers pay all amounts owing to the municipality when passing transfer.

Gladwin said the only option was to take the matter to the Constitutional Court.

Attorney Peter Lavinos agrees. “This has major repercussions for property owners, sellers, attorneys and the entire property industry as a whole.

“We believe that this is fundamentally unfair and have been fighting tooth and nail against this in the courts,” he said.

Lavinos said he had a similar matter before the high court on Monday next week and he would be arguing that the SCA did not address the constitutional issues.

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LAND BILL

MPs pass 'problematic' expropriation bill

The highly criticised expropriation bill has been passed in Parliament. The bill was passed despite objections from the DA, the EFF and other opposition parties in the National Assembly on Tuesday. After a spirited debate, 202 members voted in favour of the bill, 88 voted against it, while two abstained.

The bill has now been sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. It provides for property to be expropriated in the public interest, as well as for public purpose. The bill, which has been criticised for being too broad in definitions, was introduced to speed up land reform.

In a debate on Tuesday, the DA called for the bill to be “sent back to the drawing board�. The party submitted amendments to the bill, but the ANC objected to all five.

The EFF rejected the bill, and said they still called for expropriation of land without compensation to restore the dignity of those it had been stolen from.

The NFP questioned whether the bill would actually work in the country and the party said it would give the state the power to take property upfront. This might lead to greedy land grabs, the party said.

They, however, supported the bill. The IFP also supported the bill. The FF Plus called the bill problematic and said it

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opened the door for legal land grabs. Opposition parties also called the bill unconstitutional and problematic.

The ANC said the Constitutional Court had stated that it was judicially unwise and almost impossible to define property.

Public works deputy minister Jeremy Cronin said expropriation could be important for transformational progress.

He said it was wrong to imagine that only the wealthy property owners would get expropriated.

ANC chief whip Stone Sizani called the bill one of the most important transformative pieces of legislation post 1994.

"The passing of this draft legislation is without a doubt key to our transformation trajectory, and it will intensify the land reform program and bring about equitable access to South Africa's land, natural resources and food security," he said in a statement following the sitting.

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INVESTMENT

Investing in property?

Things you should know In recent years, South African property has been an excellent investment, particularly in the most sought-after coastal regions, where prices have risen fastest.

There are various kinds of property investment. Your home is an investment in that it provides you with rentfree accommodation. It may also yield a return in terms of increased value (a capital gain), although that gain may be difficult to realise unless you trade down or move to another region or country where property is cheaper.

Of course, if you buy property other than for your own regular use, e.g. a holiday home, you will be in a position to benefit from a more tangible return on your investment.

There are four main categories of investment property: • A holiday home, which can provide your family and friends with rent-free accommodation while (hopefully) maintaining or increasing its value; you may be able to let it to generate supplementary income.

• A home for your children or relatives, which may increase in value and could also be let when not in use to provide an income.

• A business property, which could be anything from a private home with bed and breakfast or guest accommodation to a shop or office.

• A property purchased purely for investment, which could be a capital investment or provide a regular income, or both. In recent years, many people have invested in property rather than shares or savings to provide an income on their retirement.

A property investment should be considered over the medium to long term, i.e. a minimum of five and preferably 10 to 15 years. Bear in mind that property isn’t always ‘as safe as houses’ and investments can be risky in the short to medium term. You must also take into account income tax, if a property is let, and property taxes. Capital gains tax

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is charged at normal income tax rates in South Africa, and you may be liable for tax on any profit made if the property isn’t your main residence. You also need to recoup purchase costs of 10 to 12 per cent when you sell.

When buying to let, you must ensure that the rent will cover the mortgage (if applicable), running costs and void periods (when the property isn’t let). Bear in mind that rental rates and letting seasons vary with the region and town, and an area with high rents and occupancy rates today may not be so fruitful in the future. Gross rental yields (the annual rent as a percentage of a property’s value) are from around 5 to 10 per cent per year in most areas (although gross yields of 15 per cent or more are possible), and net yields (after expenses have been deducted) 2 to 3 per cent lower. Yields vary considerably with the region or city and the type of property.

Before deciding to invest in a property, you should ask yourself the following questions: • Can I afford to tie up capital in the medium to long term, i.e. at least five years?

• How likely is the value of the property to rise during this period and by how much?

• Can I rely on a regular income from my investment? If so, how easy will it be to generate that income, e.g. to find tenants? Will I be able to pay the mortgage if the property is empty and, if so, for how long?

• Am I aware of all the risks involved and how comfortable am I with taking those risks?

• Do I have enough information to make an objective decision?

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INSURANCE

Why you need Home Insurance A new house also brings a wealth of new responsibilities. One being that you need to consider what will happen to you, your family or your house if your circumstances change. No matter how unlikely it may seem, life is full of surprises and you need to plan for every eventuality.

The best way to make sure that you are covered in a crisis is to have sufficient insurance in place to help you through difficult times.

Craig Young, managing executive of insurance at ooba, South Africa’s biggest bond originator and provider of insurance cover for all property matters, says there are two main types of insurance homeowners should have. “In some cases your bank will insist on some form of cover; in others it is optional – but in all cases it’s a good idea.”

Buildings insurance is one of the most important policies you will buy as it covers the structure of your home, the permanent fixtures and fittings and against damage caused as a result of unexpected events like fire, flood and lightning.

Your bank will insist that you have this cover, but they can’t force you to take their insurance offering. However, you can get buildings insurance cover from any accredited insurer, allowing you to compare costs, coverage, benefits, reputation and service.

Young says buildings insurance protects your home from costly damage caused by unforeseen circumstances, such as if your geyser bursts, the insurance will cover its replacement and any consequential loss up to a certain limit such as the costs of home repairs and painting.

“Your home is usually your most expensive asset, but maintaining a home can be expensive, and when unplanned events occur, it’s incredibly beneficial to have this kind of insurance as a lifeline,” says Young, adding that this is why banks make it compulsory, because they are safeguarding your assets.

Bond protection insurance A small monthly payment now can save you from financial strain later.

When you consider buying a property, you work out whether you can afford the repayments and if you’ve had your bond approved, obviously your bank thinks so too. But you and your bank have to count on you remaining employed and in good health.

What it costs When you’re buying a house, the last thing you want is an extra expense. However, a small monthly payment now can save you from financial strain later. But you’ll want to know exactly how much it will cost you and whether you’re getting the best deal.

Young says because insurance cover can be tailor made for your specific circumstances, taking into account your situation as well as the value of your house, it’s impossible to put a straightforward cost to bond protection and buildings insurance.

For buildings insurance, the structure of your house which is what the building and the roof are made of, as well as the type of residency either holiday home or permanent residence, all play a role in the risk assessment and therefore, the cost of your premiums. This type of cover will be subject to exclusions and excesses, but will cover the bulk of your expenses if the loss forms part of an insured event.

Young says it is important to consider what would happen to you and your family if you were unable to pay your bond for any period of time and bond protection insurance provides comprehensive cover in the event of death, disability, dread disease or retrenchment.

For bond protection insurance, your premiums are determined in line with various socio-economic factors which include monthly income, age, gender, smoker status and level of education. However, with a product like ooba’s Bond Protector no medical clearance is required and you can qualify for cover up to R1.25 million (pre-existing conditions may be excluded).

Your bank may not insist that you have this type of cover, but Young advises you consider it, nonetheless. “No one likes to think of bad luck befalling them, but if something bad does happen to you, the best outcome is that you or your family won’t lose your home,” he says.

ooba’s insurance offering is made up of buildings insurance and bond protection insurance tailor made for your specific needs, from the home loan experts. And ooba offers the convenience of taking out insurance at the time of applying for your bond.

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HOME LOAN

HOME LOAN ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIME HOUSE BUYERS If you’ve just decided to buy your first home, SA Home Loans is here to assist you through every step of this exciting venture! Purchasing a new house is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll ever make, and no doubt you’ll have many questions regarding the process.

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We’re here to fill in the gaps by providing all the answers and valuable advice you’re looking for. Read on to discover important home buying tips for first-timers, and to learn more about the first-time mortgages and new home loan solutions offered by SA Home Loans – South Africa’s first and largest specialist mortgage provider.

Are you ready to purchase your first home?

Before you set your sights on buying the home of your dreams, it is important to establish whether you are ready to make such a big, ongoing financial commitment – in other words, is your income stable and sufficient to support a first-time bond?

If you are secure in your job and earn a regular monthly salary, you’ll have a fairly good idea of whether or not you can afford to buy a home. However, if you are self-employed, your income may be unpredictable, making it more difficult to know for certain whether you are in a position to purchase. SA Home Loans’ experienced bond consultants will help you to verify your financial standing, and calculate how big a home loan you can afford and qualify for.

Also important to bear in mind are the costs and fees associated with purchasing your new home. You’ll need to have money saved to place a deposit on the home, and you’ll also have to consider moving costs, home-owners’ insurance and rates on your property. To ensure that you can afford the purchase, it’s essential to calculate all your monthly expenses AND those involved in buying your first home. As a general rule, your bond repayments, together with taxes and property insurance, shouldn’t exceed 25% to 30% of your gross income. In fact, at SA Home Loans, as a responsible lender, we will not approve a loan that exceeds 30% of your joint gross monthly income. It’s also a good idea to try to pay off other debt you may have (such as personal loans or credit card debt) before applying for a home buyer mortgage.

Important factors to consider when buying your home One of the most crucial factors you’ll need to consider when buying your first home is the type of house you need. While your first home may not be the mansion of your dreams, it is important to ensure that it meets all your current and medium-term needs. For example, a seaside bachelor flat may be an idyllic pad for a newlywed couple, but will it be a practical place in which to raise a family?

Useful tips for first-time homebuyers • Take a digital camera with you when house-hunting.

Having photographs in front of you will help you recall specific details of each home you see – which is particularly useful if you’re viewing up to six homes in a single day.

• Write down key points about each home you see as you’re inspecting it. In particular, record its size, special features, design and other factors which may influence your decision.

• Take note of the area and its surrounds. Is the house close to all amenities, or is it in a remote location? Would you be happy to live in that particular neighbourhood?

• When you’ve narrowed down your options, ask to view the homes you like best a second time. This will help you to narrow down your options further.

Now that you’ve found your ideal home, all that remains is to close the deal – you’ll need a mortgage. In most cases the Seller’s estate agent will urge you to let them find a mortgage provider for you. Why – because they earn a handsome commission from the bank! But why not shop around then deal direct? Remember, this will be a long term relationship.

You can also make use of our mortgage calculators to discover how big a loan you could qualify for.

When purchasing a property, it is vital to consider your individual housing needs, as well as those of your family – or future family! Is the home centrally located, or at least within manageable distance of work, grocery stores, doctors, schools and pharmacies? Most importantly, is the area relatively safe and secure? Although you may get “more home” for your money in a less desirable part of your city or town, these may not be suitable areas for children to live and play in. The value may also not appreciate as it will in more sought-after areas.

Once you’ve decided which area you’d like to live in and have a rough idea of the type of home you want to buy, you’re ready to begin house-hunting. Although the process of finding a home is reputed to be a lengthy one, don’t be surprised if your ideal home takes only weeks to find.

Once you discover the home that’s right for you, it’s a good idea to snap it up and resist the urge to “shop around” for a bargain. When you find the property that’s priced right and perfect for you, buy it.

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Home loan solutions for new or first-time house buyers SA Home Loans offers new and first-time property buyers a range of mortgage options tailored to their specific needs.

And we offer you the facility to change your initial option in the future.

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SAFETY

HELPFUL HOME SAFETY TIPS BURGLARIES

When at home

Even though a home alarm system is a great way to keep your home safe, you can never be too careful when it comes to home security. We offer a number of home security tips that will encourage burglary prevention in the event that your house is targeted by criminals.

• Always lock perimeter doors and close windows that are far away from where the family activity is centred.

Home Security & Burglary Prevention Tips

• Do not leave curtains open at night as this allows observation into the house.

• Ensure that all valuables and important documents are photocopied, authenticated by a Commissioner of Oath and securely locked away. If you do not have a fire proof home safe, lodge these copies with your bank for safekeeping.

• Do not go outside alone to investigate at night. Rather switch off all lights and open curtains to allow you to see what is occurring outside, once eyes have become accustomed to the dark.

• Ensure that perimeter doors are fitted with adequate locks. The front door should have a safety chain or safety latch and, if the door has no vision panel, a door viewer.

If keys to perimeter doors are mislaid, those locks should be replaced.

• Fit suitable “spacers”, locks or bolts to all sliding doors to prevent them from being lifted off their tracks (the most common method used by burglars on sliding doors and windows).

• Ensure all windows are fitted with adequate locks or burglar bars that cover all glass.

• Ensure that all duplicate keys are locked away if not in use. Do not leave in doors or make unnecessary copies.

• Install a safe for weapons and valuables. Duplicate house keys could be kept in this safe. Wall safes are usually not fire proof and therefore not suitable for face-value documents and money.

• Keep the garage and tool shed locked when not in use.

Would–be intruders should not have access to any item that can be used as a weapon or burglary tool.

• Install outside lights that can be remotely controlled from inside the house. Consider installing lighting outside which is activated by a motion detector.

• Try not to have high walls and tall hedges that obscure your view of the property. If walls and ledges are low, or have openings, neighbours and passers-by will more easily be able to spot suspicious or unusual activity.

• Reduce all heavy foliage near the garage entrance and front door to reduce the possibility of those spots being used as s hiding place.

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• At night always lock perimeter doors and securely fasten windows. When retiring to bed, lock inter-leading doors of those rooms that are not occupied.

• Do not open any perimeter door without satisfactory identification from the visitor. If in any doubt, do not open the door and consider summoning the police or ADT. • Never admit to a stranger that you are alone.

• If a repair-person is expected, do not allow entry unless identity has been checked through a vision panel or door viewer and with the company concerned.

• Do not allow strangers into your home to make telephone calls. Rather offer to make the telephone calls for them while they wait outside.

• If you note suspicious vehicles, individuals or groups in your neighbourhood, contact the police or ADT.

When away from home • Do not leave notes on the door, underneath the carpet or in the post box to indicate that you are away.

• Do not leave hidden keys.

• Leave your house key with a trusted neighbour or the key holder (as registered with ADT) so that access can be gained in an emergency.

• Do not leave only the outside lights on as this is usually an indication to would-be intruders that the house is not occupied.

• Leave lights on and the radio playing as this gives the impression that the house is occupied.

If Confronted By An Intruder • Try to escape, if possible.

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immediately contact our technical department on 086 12 12 402. Load shedding can dramatically reduce the lifespan of your alarm battery. Should your battery be older than one year, you should contact the ADT technical department or your security provider to make the necessary arrangements to either replace or check the battery. The new gel batteries have an average battery life of between 6 and 8 hours.

• If you cannot escape, try to lock yourself in a secure room and lock the door.

• Remain calm.

• Co-operate with the intruder.

• Be observant and take particular notice of any voice, dress or behavioural traits.

• Only shout for help or scream to avoid serious assault.

• If the intruder tries to leave, do not hinder or apprehend him.

• Do not follow the intruder outside. Close and lock the doors immediately and call for help by activating the home alarm system.

• Electric Fencing: To ensure that your electric fencing continues to function during the power cuts/load shedding, your electric fence battery should have a backup battery.

• Ensure that anyone leaving your property can get into their car, start it, lock the doors and be fully prepared to drive off before the gates are opened.

• Generators: If you are using a generator never operate it anywhere inside your home, including the garage or any confined area, as it produces carbon monoxide which can be fatal. A generator should be kept at least 10 feet away from the home with its exhaust pointing away from the house. It should always be installed by an electrician to evaluate the house's electrical system for proper grounding and polarity and to ensure extension cords are installed correctly.

• If possible, ensure that anyone leaving your premises can do so without having to reverse into the road. Reversing forces one to concentrate on the driving and not what lies outside the gate. It also greatly reduces visibility.

• Arriving/Leaving Home: Ensure that you are especially alert when arriving or leaving your home in the evenings, as the street lights and your outside lighting will not be functioning during the power cuts/load shedding process.

• If your visitors have to park in the street, escort them to their car when leaving and check that the road is clear for them. If you have dogs, take them with you, especially after dark.

• At Home: Ensure that all your automated gates and doors are secured, and that all other gates and doors are locked.

Other Basic Home Security Preventative Measures

• Ensure that your gate and driveway are well lit after dark.

Replace fused light bulbs immediately.

• Ensure that the number of your house is clearly visible at all times.

• Install electric gates – consider this a necessity rather than a luxury.

• If you have electric gates and an intercom system, ensure that visitors can reach the intercom without having to get out of their cars. Do not leave them waiting outside for longer than is absolutely necessary.

• If you spot anything suspicious in your immediate vicinity, do not leave you property or hesitate to drive away from it.

• Be particularly alert if you live in a cul-de-sac, given their single point of entry and exit.

• When driving, avoid wearing flashy jewellery that can be easily seen from a distance by a casual passer-by.

• Never leave any important documents in your car that may provide your personal details.

• The only solution for vehicle-related crime is to have a tracking system installed in your vehicle.

LOAD SHEDDING TIPS Important Security Hints and Tips to Consider During Load Shedding In light of the recent and continuous power cuts/load shedding throughout the country, ADT Security has outlined important hints and tips that we encourage everyone to consider in the interests of maintaining security during this time: • Alarm Batteries: If you receive a call or SMS from ADT advising that you have a low battery signal, please

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If an ADT client feels that at any time during a power failure they are at risk from a genuine emergency, they are encouraged to press their panic button or contact the control room emergency number on 086 12 12 401. This number should ideally be stored on speed-dial on your cellphone. By doing this, ADT can then prioritise the signals accordingly.

Clients must also be aware that the power cuts/load shedding can have an impact on fire systems and fire control systems. With candles, gas and other lighting devices being used more often, these can result in an increased fire hazard and home fire extinguishers should be on hand.

In an effort to remain proactive during the power cuts/ load shedding process, ADT is attempting to ascertain the scheduled times and areas for such power outages and has increased its resources and capacity to accommodate increased signals in the control room, as well as increasing visibility by deploying additional patrols in selected areas at those critical times.

SAFEGUARDING YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS There is nothing more relaxing than going on holiday, but that nagging feeling of worry over the security of your home can be distracting. Reduce this sensation by making sure that you have made your house as safe as possible, and you will certainly get that much more out of your break away from everyday life.

Putting Up Appearances When you are away, don´t advertise that your home is empty - it is imperative that you make it seem as though your house is occupied while you are away.

Be discreet when packing your car, and do so in the garage if possible. Don´t tell any unnecessary strangers that you are planning a holiday away from home. A common mistake

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that people make is leaving answering machine messages stating exact departure and return times.

Here are some valuable hints and tips to bear in mind:

Organise for a friend or trustworthy person living in your neighbourhood to check on your home daily. To make the house look lived in, ask your house sitter to switch on different lights on different days and to empty the post box. Simply having someone around the house creates the impression that your home is occupied, and could mean the difference between a break-in and a terrific, stress free holiday.

• Install and use good locks on doors and windows

Senior safety begins at home: • Don´t hide keys under the doormat, in the mailbox or in a pot plant. If needed, leave a spare key with a family member or a trusted neighbour • When service or delivery people come to the door, ask for identification and check with their company if you´re still not 100% certain about their identity

If you´d prefer not to have someone in your home, cancel your newspapers, set alarm clocks or radios to turn on at regular intervals during the day to create a lived-in impression. There are plenty of timer plugs on the market to turn specific lights or electronic devices on automatically.

• Make sure that the street number on your house is large, well-lit and unobstructed so that emergency personnel can find your home quickly when needed

Test Your Alarm System

• If you live in a retirement home, ensure you have communication with the guard at the main gate

Most alarm systemsrequire that you test them once or twice a year, but few people actually carry out these important checks. It is no good having an alarm that is faulty and “cries wolf” or simply doesn´t sound - so there is no better time to test your early warning system than now To avoid overloading the system with false activations, it is important to always notify the ADT control room before any testing is carried out. Testing should be done outside of peak hours, between 8am and 4pm, or after 8pm. If a fault is discovered, it should be immediately reported to ADT´s technical team.

It is also be a good idea to let your private security company know that you will be going away.

Turn Off All Electrical Devices Remove all unnecessary plugs from power points in your home, as well as your geyser. Not only will it save you on your electricity bill, but it will also prevent powers surges or storms from damaging computers or televisions.

Be careful not to accidentally unplug any alarm systems or backup generators.

Taking Care of Pets There are a few options when considering pet care while you are away on holiday. You could either have someone come to your home to feed your animals for you, have someone take them into their home while you´re away or put your animals into the professional care of a kennel.

Final Checks Before You Depart Go through your home and double check that all doors and windows are closed, locked and secure. Don´t leave any keys or valuables on show; this is only an invitation to burglars.

Rather lock all extra car keys, personal documents and irreplaceable valuables away in a safe place.

Now that your house is secure, it is time to do what´s most important: go away on your well deserved holiday safe in the knowledge that your home is as safe and sound as possible.

Enjoy your holiday.

Tips For Seniors Unscrupulous fraudsters and petty criminals are increasingly preying on vulnerable senior citizens who are seen as “soft targets”.

Roy Rawlins, Managing Director of ADT Johannesburg, says it is important for senior citizens to take extra precautions particularly with the busy festive season approaching.

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• If you decide to install an alarm system, consider one that is monitored for burglary, fire and medical emergencies

Stay safe when you go out: • Preferably go out with family and/or friends rather than on your own • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables but carry a cell phone which you can use in an emergency.

Programme in an emergency number • Avoid walking early in the morning or late in the afternoon and try and avoid isolated areas • Always let someone know when you are going out alone – a neighbour, family member or complex guard • Always keep your handbag closed and close by and keep your wallet in an inside pocket. Petty criminals know that the elderly prefer cash to credit cards • When shopping, never leave your purse unattended in your trolley, even for a second • It is advisable to use a direct deposit service for Social Security and other regular cheques

Don´t fall for con artists´ tricks: • Be wary of offers if they sound too good to be true, such as a free vacation, miracle cure, sure-fire investment, etc.

• Be wary of anyone requesting personal information such as your credit card and/or banking details. If necessary, ask them for their details and call them back once you have verified that it is a legitimate request • If someone tries to rush you into signing an insurance policy, sales contract or any other contractual agreement, be suspicious. Read the documentation very carefully, and if possible ask a trusted friend or an advisor to check it too

Personal Safety Tips ADT offers you a number of personal safety tips to help you avoid dangerous situations. Your personal safety should be your top priority at all times as there’s no telling when you might fall into harm’s way.

Crime Prevention with Our Personal Safety Tips • Know all emergency numbers by heart.

• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.

• Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.

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• Try not to walk around remote places at night.

• Locate points of help like of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals and restaurants, or stores that are open late.

• Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.

• Inform people of your whereabouts.

• Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.

• Watch out if people start milling around you. This could be a sign you are about to be robbed.

• If a stranger wants to use your phone and you want to help, leave him/her outside and phone on his/her behalf.

• Always appear calm and confident, and know where you are going.

• Don’t resist, especially if the perpetrator has a weapon, give up your purse or valuables, with no questions asked and move away.

Your alarm systems should have system check instructions either printed on it or in the manual. If you can´t find any details, try phoning your home security company and asking for more information on your model.

2. Electricity Fuse boxes, overloaded power points and appliances in bathrooms are just a few of the possible hazards that you´ll need to look out for on your home safety checklist. Baby proofing plugs and cables is an obvious decision if you have small children, but also a great idea if you have pets.

Be sure to have any electrical faults in your home, such as faulty lights or plugs, seen to by a professional as bad wiring poses massive fire risks – thatch roof home owners - be extra cautious.

3. Make a Neighbour a Friend

• Before you go to bed, pre-set the police station’s telephone number on your telephone, all you have to do in an emergency is to push re-dial.

If you have any friends in your street or neighbourhood that you can trust, give them a copy of your key and put their phone number on your list of emergency numbers. If you already have a neighbour looking after a spare key, it´s also a good idea to ask them to double check that your key is in a safe place.

• Do not wear extravagant jewellery in public.

4. Teach Your Children

• Avoid carrying a large amount of money.

Spend some time showing your children how to use the telephone and where to locate the list of emergency numbers.

Explain each emergency number to them and make sure that they know the best procedure for any crisis situation.

• Carry a purse or bag close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Our personal safety tip would be to put a wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket not a back pocket.

• Always carry your handbag in such a way that it will not be easy for someone to snatch it.

• Avoid suspicious schemes.

• Security lights are an important aspect in the prevention of theft and assault on both interior and exterior parts of a building, carports, stairs, alleys and patio’s.

• Keep your firearms in a good quality safe.

• Never leave your firearm unattended in a vehicle.

• Avoid using laundry facilities in an apartment complex by yourself, especially at night time, team up with a neighbour or friend.

• Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.

• When leaving your house for long periods, don’t mention it on your answering machine.

Home Safety Checklist The safety of your loved ones is more important than any material possession. Please take some time to go through the following checklist so that you can be well prepared for any emergency situation. As the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure” Make a mental list of all the rooms in your home, and work your way through them ensuring that you´ve eliminated potential accidents, prepared emergency procedures and are ready for any eventuality.

1. Test Your Equipment It is no good having a smoke alarm that doesn´t trigger during a fire, or a panic button that does nothing more than click due to flat batteries in a time of dire need. Make the effort to double check that your best defences against emergency situations are in top working order.

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Children can easily be misled by strangers. Allocate a “trust word” and give this word to an adult as a form of a password to let the children know that you gave them permission to trust the stranger in an emergency.

5. First Aid Kit A first aid kit can be used for treating a grazed knee, or mean the difference between life and death. It´s fundamentally important that your household, workplace and car have a first aid kit on hand.

Make sure that your first aid kit includes the following: Antiseptic liquid, Cotton swabs. Cotton wool, Gauze, Scissors, Safety pins, Bandages, Latex gloves, CPR mouth piece, Plasters, Tweezers, Thermometer, Antihistamine Cream Your first aid kit should also include information on CPR, the Heimlich Manoeuvre and emergency telephone numbers.

6. Inside and Out The garden and surrounding areas of your home are potentially riddled with hazards. In your garage or garden shed, make sure that all flammable liquids and gasses are properly sealed and stored away. Oil spills or leaky canisters can have disastrous effects with the smallest of spark or flame.

If you´ve got children or pets, the use of a pool cover and a fence around the perimeter are a good idea to secure loved ones.

Home safety is an essential part of life as we know it. The old adage is true – it really is better to be safe than sorry.

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EMERGENCY

The top emergency numbers every South African should have We've put together a few tips along with the three emergency numbers we believe every South African should have to help you through most situations.

I'VE GOT AN EMERGENCY…WHAT NOW? Try to stay calm and make sure you have these details ready: 1. The nature of the emergency; 2.

Exact location of the incident (including nearby landmarks); and 3. The details about any injuries.

When you dial this number you will reach an automated menu. Don't let this frustrate you. The menu acts as a form of triage (priority of treatment) control and filters out abuse of the medical and emergency system.

It's very easy to get caught up in distress but remember to stay calm and make sure the emergency medical services team knows exactly how to reach you.

Ambulance - 10177

Remember: never hang up until you are told to do so.

Nationwide Emergency Response - 10111 Dial the telephone number 10111 from anywhere in South Africa and a call centre operator will answer the incoming call, take all necessary particulars and assign the complaint to a Flying Squad patrol vehicle, or the local police station, to attend the incident.

This number can be used in the case of a medical emergency and can be called in conjunction with both the fire and police department respectively, depending on whether or not there are casualties.

If you don't have them stored already, we recommend that you put these three numbers on your phone. In fact, you may want to store them all under 'Emergency' as follows: • Emergency - Ambulance (10177) • Emergency - Cell phone (112)

Cell phone emergency - 112

• Emergency - National (10111)

For emergencies, you can call 112 from any cell phone in South Africa. You will then reach a call centre and they will route you to an emergency service closest to you.

THIS IS A

PRIME SPOT FOR YOUR AD

DON'T YOU THINK? Call Simon on 011 036 2977 today!

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