Factors Affecting Delivery of Low-Cost Housing in Wards 9 and 12, Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

The study analyses the factors affecting delivery of low-cost housing in wards 9 and 12 of Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality (RMLM), in North West Province , South Africa, and to determine how they are being addressed. Furthermore, this study intents at making recommendations contributing towards improving the low-cost housing delivery in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality by identifying factors responsible for its delivery. For the purpose of this study, the researcher followed the qualitative research methodology, as it is used to study how people feel about certain situations. In this study, the researcher specifically adopted the descriptive qualitative research design. Partially-structured interviews were conducted to gain deeper insight into the phenomenon being studied. The interviews with the municipal officials and provincial officials were held online (virtually) via Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype. Interviews with the beneficiaries were done in the comfort of their homes, and Covid-19 safety measures were adhered to. The study population for this research consisted of residents from ward 9 and ward 12 in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, members of Dinokana traditional authority, the ward councillors, the municipal officials, and the provincial officials. In total 31 participants were interviewed. It has been discovered in the study that the factors that affect effective delivery of low-cost housing in ward 9 and ward 12 in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality include corruption and nepotism, population growth & unemployment, and illegal sale of the houses. In terms of corruption and nepotism, according to the participants, houses are allocated to some people because of favouritism and relationships between them and the municipal officials. The other form of corruption alleged to be taking place in RMLM is that officials ask beneficiaries to pay money so that they can be helped to skip the queue, given that the waiting list is so long. With regards to population growth, according to the Community Survey (2016), the population growth in Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality is putting immense pressure on the area. According to Stats SA (2016), the total population in Ramotshere Moiloa was approximately 152 664. RMLM, like the rest of the country, is experiencing strong population growth and unemployment, resulting in high housing demand. It was indicated by one RMLM municipal official that beneficiaries sometimes attempt to sell their houses illegally, and it is not acceptable. The researcher recommends an increased budget allocation from the Provincial Department to address the housing backlogs in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality. A standard system for housing monitoring and evaluation should be put in place as part of the recommendations. The municipality should also create platforms that allow the communities to raise their concerns regarding the delivery of housing. Various platforms such as social media and the toll-free grievance line are available to address various grievances. The researcher further recommends that education and training about corruption and how to avoid it should be part of any employee induction programme.