WEDNESDAY, 11.30AM
HOUSING Minister Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele yesterday announced a plan to force builders using government subsidies to register, in an attempt to prevent consumers from rip-offs by imposing acceptable construction standards.
The registration plan, which has drawn flak from major builders, involves the granting of statutory powers to the national Home Builders’ Association to impose construction standards.
Mthembi-Mahanyele also announced new measures to give local authorities first-time powers to administer national housing programmes and subsidy applications, in an effort to speed delivery.
A Bill formalising the proposed changes will be published by June, marking an end to self-regulation in the construction industry.