IN CONVERSATION WITH ZANDILE DABULA

ActionSA Johannesburg MMC Candidate for Human Settlements, Zandile Dabula, has launched an Online Reporting Portal aimed at addressing the alleged illegal occupation of RDP houses by foreign nationals. The initiative is intended to provide residents with a platform to report cases where government-subsidised housing is allegedly being occupied unlawfully or used for financial gain, while qualifying South African citizens remain on housing waiting lists. According to ActionSA, the portal forms part of the party’s broader campaign to combat corruption, improve accountability in housing allocations, and ensure that public housing benefits are distributed in accordance with the law and established allocation processes. The party argues that unlawful occupation of government housing undermines efforts to provide housing opportunities to indigent South Africans and contributes to growing public frustration over housing backlogs. The online platform allows residents to submit reports detailing the location of the alleged unlawful occupation, together with supporting evidence and contact information. ActionSA says all submissions will be assessed and, where appropriate, escalated for further action. The party has also stated that measures will be taken to protect the confidentiality of individuals who report suspected irregularities, acknowledging concerns about potential intimidation or retaliation. ActionSA maintains that millions of South Africans have remained on housing waiting lists for years despite following the required application processes. The party contends that housing allocation systems should be transparent, accountable and free from corruption, political interference and abuse. The issue extends beyond the RDP housing programme, according to ActionSA, and includes concerns relating to several major government-funded housing developments in Johannesburg, including the Alexandra Renewal Project, Lufhereng Mega Housing Development, Fleurhof Integrated Housing Development, South Hills Mixed Housing Development and Riverside View Housing Development. The party argues that despite the scale of these developments and the thousands of housing opportunities they were intended to create, many qualifying beneficiaries continue to wait for access to housing. The launch of the reporting portal comes amid ongoing public debate around housing allocation, migration, service delivery and the management of government-funded housing programmes. ActionSA says the initiative seeks to support communities in identifying alleged abuses of the housing system while promoting compliance with housing regulations and the rule of law. Instagram · Twitter