Note to Editors: Please note Riona Gokool, MPL sound bite in English
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal notes with concern a written parliamentary reply by Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma regarding the Sunnydale housing project in Umlalazi, King Cetshwayo District.
While the MEC states that “no cases have been reported” relating to illegal occupation, renting, or sale of RDP houses in Sunnydale Phase 3, this contradicts persistent community complaints about allocation irregularities. Currently, 21 units are under dispute.
A lack of reported cases does not mean an absence of wrongdoing, it signals weak oversight and inadequate reporting mechanisms. The department’s admission that beneficiary lists are not publicly available further undermines transparency, leaving communities reliant on municipal channels and increasing the risk of manipulation and corruption.
Despite referencing successes in tackling housing fraud elsewhere in KZN, the MEC has not outlined any targeted intervention for Sunnydale, even as residents continue to raise concerns about unlawful occupation and irregular allocations.
The DA believes a reactive, complaint-driven system is insufficient. The department must prioritise transparency, accountability, and proactive engagement.
To restore public confidence and protect the integrity of housing delivery, the DA calls for:
• An immediate independent audit of all Sunnydale Phase 3 allocations, including the 21 disputed units
• Public release of a verified beneficiary list at ward level
• An anonymous, accessible platform to report housing fraud
• Regular on-site inspections and compliance checks
• Strong consequence management, including repossession and prosecution where necessary
• Quarterly community engagement sessions led by the department
The DA further urges the department to provide clear timelines for releasing updated allocation information and to commit to sustained engagement with the Sunnydale community.
KZN’s housing backlog cannot be resolved while corruption and lack of transparency persist. Every irregular allocation denies a deserving beneficiary access to housing and dignity.
As a partner within the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA remains committed to ensuring fair, transparent, and people-centred housing delivery, and will continue to hold the department accountable.