Premier in hot water over title deeds

The recent handing over of title deeds to residents of Davidsonville might be nothing more than a pre-election public relations exercise, says DA spokesperson for Housing, Janet Semple.

According to Semple the Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane could not provide a single reliable figure for the number of title deeds issued in Gauteng since 1994. This came after a request for the figures in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

Wading through the jumble of figures provided by the Premier it would appear that only 10 per cent of the roughly 800 000 houses built were issued with title deeds since 1994.

In a recent Parliamentary reply to the DA it was indicated that Gauteng’s title deed backlog was at 220 000 three years ago.

It is clear that the title deeds backlog is far greater than even the national minister or Premier has a grip on.

“The importance of title deeds cannot be over estimated. The need for title deeds is not just about having a piece of paper, but ownership of title promotes both economic and social stability in society,” says Semple.