More than 500 000 people in Gauteng are still waiting for their homes to be built, housing MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro said on Monday.

"Having delivered 650 000 housing opportunities in the last 15 years which gave shelter to an estimated 1.5 million people, we are still faced with more than 500 000 people registered as waiting for houses on our demand database," Lekgoro said in Johannesburg.

Reporting back on his first 100 days in office, Lekgoro said housing shortages continued because people tended to migrate to Gauteng from South Africa and the rest of Africa.

Township residents around the country have in recent months embarked on service delivery protests, some turning violent and xenophobic with the lack of housing a dominant factor.

The government had initiated urban renewal projects in various townships like Tembisa and Alexandra, Winterveldt in Tshwane and areas south of Johannesburg, Lekgoro said, adding he was determined to make a difference during his term of office.

Beautify the townships

"The programmes seek to turn old townships that were neglected as labour dormitories into human-habitable settlements.

"The focus of these programmes is to eradicate the bucket system, install bulk services, install electricity, put up street lights, tar and pave the streets, erect social amenities and beautify the townships with parks and similar projects."

Lekgoro said they continued to address the plight of hostel dwellers in Alexandra through the townships renewal project.

The construction of 282 new houses was underway to accommodate all residents of the M2 hostel. A total of 204 units had been completed and occupied to date.

"This financial year we will complete the balance and then demolish the hostel. Work is in process for M1 and Helen Joseph hostel."

Replace Robert McBride

He said the Ekurhuleni municipality had been "stabilised" with the appointment of a new police commissioner Hlula Msimang to replace Robert McBride, who was currently challenging his dismissal at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

Noting McBride's right to challenge his dismissal, community safety MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu, who was also present at the briefing, insisted due process was followed in appointing Msimang.

"All due process was followed in the appointment."

Most executive director positions in the municipality had been filled.

Lekgoro said: "Their (Ekurhuleni municipality) capital expenditure has shot from 36 percent to 90 percent and their ability to collect revenue is 85 percent. Their cash flow situation remains sound."

After examining the financial viability of all municipalities, there were indications of "difficulties of cash flow management" due to the economic downturn and in other cases, it was due to inefficiencies and mismanagement.

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