Gauteng Department of Human Settlements Struggles to Clear Title Deed Backlog Affecting Thousands
The crisis in Gauteng housing continues to deepen as the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) grapples with a growing backlog of over 170,000 title deeds. Despite efforts over the past five years, only 32,000 title deeds have been successfully issued, highlighting significant challenges in resolving the housing issues that affect thousands of Gauteng residents.
Title Deed Backlog: A Persistent Issue
The backlog in title deeds remains one of Gauteng’s most pressing housing issues. The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements confirmed that approximately 160,000 recipients have been waiting since 1994 for title deeds related to RDP housing, while another 12,000 have been awaiting their documents since before 1994.
These title deeds are essential for the recipients, not only as proof of ownership but also as key to unlocking economic opportunities. They are seen as the cornerstone of personal financial stability, providing security of tenure and the potential for passing ownership down to future generations. However, the slow pace of title deed issuance has left many in limbo.
Reasons Behind the Backlog
Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara cited several reasons for the delay, including outstanding town planning milestones, unregistered land, and issues with unlawful occupants in some completed houses. Many of the government-built homes were placed on land not fully registered with the relevant municipalities, which has further complicated the process of issuing title deeds.
Moreover, Motara noted that the department had spent R66 million on issuing title deeds, excluding township formalization processes, dispute resolutions, and related services.
Calls for Faster Action
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow MEC for Human Settlements, Mervyn Cirota, criticized the slow pace of title deed issuance. He attributed the backlog to poor communication between departments, oversight failures, and a lack of leadership stability within the GDHS. According to Cirota, these documents are crucial for economic empowerment, and their delay continues to perpetuate inequality.
He urged the provincial government to fast-track the process, emphasizing that a more responsible government would understand the profound impact title deeds have on the economic growth of individuals and communities.
Proposed Solutions and Interventions
To address the crisis, MEC Motara mentioned that the provincial department had asked municipalities to waive certain requirements to enable registration, allowing the completion of tasks such as general plans at a later date. Additionally, the department introduced the regularisation policy in October 2022, which aims to assist occupants without approved housing subsidies. However, the policy must be adopted by the national department before it can be implemented fully.
The DA has suggested conducting an audit of the deeds awaiting registration, exploring progress on these cases, and determining potential solutions to accelerate the process. Cirota also proposed a staff overhaul and a forensic operational audit within the department to improve efficiency and governance.
The Gauteng housing crisis and the ongoing title deed backlog remain significant hurdles in the path to housing equity in the province. As thousands of residents continue to wait for ownership documents, it is clear that more urgent action is needed from both provincial and national authorities to resolve these issues and ensure that Gauteng residents can secure the stability and opportunities they deserve.
Also read: 7 Steps to Take If Your RDP Application Is Declined: A Guide for Affordable Housing Applicants
