There are about 2 225 informal settlements in South Africa, with the highest concentration being in KwaZulu-Natal.

In a written reply to a Parliamentary question posed by the Democratic Alliance’s Thandeka Gqada, Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu noted that the number of informal settlements had decreased from the 2 700 informal settlements in 2009/10.

The number of informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal had decreased to 511 by March 31, 2014, from the 635 in 2009/10. Gauteng’s informal settlements fell from 489 to 399 in the same period.

“Provincial departments are in the process of conducting further assessments to determine the latest status of informal settlements, which will be communicated later in the year,” Sisulu added.

Further, she noted that the human settlement programmes had contributed significantly to the poverty alleviation efforts of government, particularly through the provision of houses to households that did not have adequate shelter before, as well as through the allocation of serviced stands, which brought basic services, such as water, sanitation and electricity to families who did not have access to these services before.

“This was achieved through the delivery of 322 209 serviced sites and 709 062 top structures from April 2009, to February 2015, as well as through both primary and secondary jobs created through the construction of houses.

“Additionally, the department’s programmes are contributing towards poverty alleviation through short-term jobs created for households in poorer areas with no income,” Sisulu highlighted.