Durban - The Auditor-General has released the first special report on flood relief funding which reveals discrepancies in the delivery of temporary residential units (TRUs) in KwaZulu-Natal.
The report revealed that the 30 TRUs selected for inspections were found to be defective during on-site visits..
“There were numerous instances of non-adherence with specifications per the agreed contract and price.
“For example, the thermal layer under the roof was not provided at 97% of units, wooden doors instead of galvanised metal doors were used at 90% of units, and internal doors were not installed at 43% of units.”
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke also identified numerous quality defects, including wall panels incorrectly positioned and not aligned as well as water saturation of wall panels and inadequate waterproofing, as evidenced by holes in roof sheeting and gaps between wall panels and the roof.
The report highlighted that beneficiaries occupying 10% of the units connected their units to electricity using existing connections despite it being unsafe and against building regulations, as electrical connections were not included in the scope of the contractors’ work.
Maluleke said those responding swiftly in an emergency is key to ensuring that those in need receive the assistance they are entitled to receive without delay.
“The department did not timeously assess and validate displaced households as beneficiaries for TRUs.”
The A-G said delays in the delivery of these units could be attributed to needs assessments not having been finalised timeously, poor project management, delays in securing suitable land, and communities protesting relocation areas due to the negative impact on their livelihoods.
The KZN Department of Human Settlements told the A-G that it was appointing service providers to fast-track the validation process and had appointed facilitators to assist with the community issues.
Reacting to the report, the DA KZN spokesperson on Human Settlements, Marlaine Nair, said the party had received numerous complaints about the poor quality of housing being handed over by KZN’s Human Settlements Department.
“These TRUs were designed to last for up to five years, during which time residents are supposed to be permanently housed. The reality is that they are unlikely to last the next major storm as a result of such poor workmanship.”