Minister of Human Settlements Nomaindiya Mfeketo has approved the executive’s decision to place the Housing Development Agency (HDA) under administration.  

According to Mfeketo these steps have been taken to ensure that the HDA’s governance and financial management, administration and operations continue until a board has been appointed for the agency.

The minister says she expects the move to strengthen the services provided by the HDA to address the community’s critical needs.

Despite technical support from the National Department of Human Settlements and grant transfers from various provinces and municipalities, the HDA has been unable to translate its mandate and strategic and performance plans into concrete outputs and outcomes.

This has led to poor performance and outputs in the Catalytic Projects Programme, the National Upgrading Support Programme, Public Sector Land and Property Development Programme and the Human Settlements Programme Interventions in Distressed Mining Towns.

Things reached a climax last week when the board took the decision to suspend the Chief Executive Officer and three members of the Executive Committee pending an a forensic investigation. The allegations being investigated are considered to be serious.

“The HDA is a very important institution of the Department of Human Settlements and instability there will affect the government’s human settlements and housing programme of action negatively and this is something we will not allow,” said Minister Mfeketo.