Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
09/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/18/2025 05:44
Media Statement: NCOP Chairperson Concerned About Absence of Officials During Oversight and Calls for Accountability
Parliament, Thursday, 18 September 2025 - The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, yesterday raised concern over the absence of officials from the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure and Human Settlements and the City of Cape Town during an oversight visit to various housing projects around Khayelitsha.
As part of the NCOP's Local Government Week in the Western Cape, members visited three projects in Khayelitsha on Wednesday: Mandela Park, Site C (Taiwan), and Silvertown in Town Two.
Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane said the NCOP delegation was disappointed with the non-attendance of provincial and municipal officials. She said this reflects disrespect for issues affecting poor communities.
"Our visit is a parliamentary programme that the province was aware of and should have been aware of. It is unfortunate that they have chosen to disrespect a House of Parliament by not attending, and did not offer an explanation or even an apology," the Chairperson said.
"If elected representatives are treated with the disdain that we were accorded, can you imagine what happens to normal, poor working-class communities. This was so unfortunate and unnecessary. The answers the NCOP was entitled to about deserted projects were simply not provided."
The projects stalled due to inefficiencies by either Provincial or City officials.
Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane said, "Millions have been spent on the three projects, yet the sites are deserted and there has been no communication with communities. Although two of the projects had bulk infrastructure, there were just flowers there. No top structures and no explanation."
She said the NCOP will seek clarity and an explanation from all concerned regarding the two projects where infrastructure was laid as early as 2018, and nothing has happened since. "How do you explain that to the people? Instead, the Province and the City do not know who owns the land on which the projects are situated."
Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane also called for an investigation into whether the state lost any money through these projects and to determine accountability. "We must commend the local councillors for availing themselves for the entire day. It is a pity that they could not provide all the answers," the Chairperson said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Media Enquiries: Mr Benzi Ka-Soko, Spokesperson for the Chairperson of the NCOP, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, 071 424 4451
As part of the NCOP's Local Government Week in the Western Cape, members visited three projects in Khayelitsha on Wednesday: Mandela Park, Site C (Taiwan), and Silvertown in Town Two.
Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane said the NCOP delegation was disappointed with the non-attendance of provincial and municipal officials. She said this reflects disrespect for issues affecting poor communities.
"Our visit is a parliamentary programme that the province was aware of and should have been aware of. It is unfortunate that they have chosen to disrespect a House of Parliament by not attending, and did not offer an explanation or even an apology," the Chairperson said.
"If elected representatives are treated with the disdain that we were accorded, can you imagine what happens to normal, poor working-class communities. This was so unfortunate and unnecessary. The answers the NCOP was entitled to about deserted projects were simply not provided."
The projects stalled due to inefficiencies by either Provincial or City officials.
Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane said, "Millions have been spent on the three projects, yet the sites are deserted and there has been no communication with communities. Although two of the projects had bulk infrastructure, there were just flowers there. No top structures and no explanation."
She said the NCOP will seek clarity and an explanation from all concerned regarding the two projects where infrastructure was laid as early as 2018, and nothing has happened since. "How do you explain that to the people? Instead, the Province and the City do not know who owns the land on which the projects are situated."
Ms Mtshweni-Tsipane also called for an investigation into whether the state lost any money through these projects and to determine accountability. "We must commend the local councillors for availing themselves for the entire day. It is a pity that they could not provide all the answers," the Chairperson said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Media Enquiries: Mr Benzi Ka-Soko, Spokesperson for the Chairperson of the NCOP, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, 071 424 4451
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