12 Jul 2016

Parliament has been informed that buildings in old residential plots are required to be inspected by structural engineers when people apply for Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) loans.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, the Minister of Lands and Housing Mr Prince Maele said “this is primarily to check the structural stability of the existing building and to ascertain that any additions to the buildings will not pose any security risks.”

However, he said  the cost of the structural report might not be affordable for some SHHA beneficiaries. The council usually assisted through its structural engineers, where, the applicant submitted sufficient proof that she/he is unable to engage a private structural engineer.

With  regard to change of ownership,  he said the inspections are done to ascertain compliance to the Tribal Land Act which stipulates that a piece of land has to be developed for the purpose that it was granted prior to transfer or change of ownership (S38 of TLA).

MP for Ramotswa Mr Samuel Rantuana had asked the minister why buildings in old residential plots are required to be inspected by the structural engineers when people apply for SHHA loans or change of ownership. ENDS