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MEDIA ADVISORY

TO ALL MEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

21 FEBRUARY 2023

GOVT INTERVENTION ASSISTS NELSON MANDELA BAY RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE TITLE DEEDS AND REALISE FULL HOMEOWNERSHIP

Residents of Motherwell and KwaNobuhle in Kariega in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) will get full homeownership following an intervention by the Department of Human Settlements to destitute families who were on the verge of eviction. Eastern Cape Human Settlements MEC, Siphokazi Lusithi, will handover title deeds to 65 rightful beneficiaries on Thursday, 23 February 2023 in NMBM.

The affected families originally bought their houses through a bonded system using various housing loans from Hlano Financial Services. However, due to job losses, they could no longer make bond repayments and banks initiated a process to take the houses back and issue notices of evictions. The Department intervened to secure funding through Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP), a housing subsidy that was agreed on by all affected parties and implemented in phases through what became the Hlano Project. This project ensured that all those affected in Motherwell and KwaNobuhle in Kariega are now safe and secured in their own properties.

The Department is fast-tracking the release of title deeds as an important instrument of economic empowerment. A verification process was conducted by the Department together with the NMBM to ensure the rightful beneficiaries receive their title deeds.

On the day, MEC Lusithi will visit some of the elderly beneficiaries in their homes to handover their title deeds. This will be followed by a community engagement and handing over ceremony.

The handover forms part of MEC Lusithi’s rollout plan to eradicate title deeds backlog in the province to ensure homeownership and restore people’s dignity.

Members of the media are invited to attend the handover to be held as follows;

DATE: 23 February 2023

TIME: 10h00

VENUE: Raymond Mhlaba Sports Complex, Motherwell.

END.

Confirmations contact Phiwokuhle Soga, 076 8044292, PhiwokuhleS@ecdhs.gov.za

Issued by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements.

Inquiries:

Mr Siyabonga Mdodi: Media Liaison Officer

Mobile: 083 358 8070 | Email: SiyabongaMd@ecdhs.gov.za