This, after Sephoti's term of office has expired. the MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile, says Sephoti's contract ended in July and a new HOD had to be appointed. He said they are hopeful Mashego's appointment will help the province address the housing crisis faced in communities. The North West is amongst provinces that recently made headlines over the lack of housing and mushrooming of informal settlements.  

OFM News last month reported on how Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, expressed concern over increasing informal settlements in the country. She, in a written parliamentary reply, confirmed that housing backlogs are still a major challenge in the province and many others.

Cwaile, has meanwhile confirmed there are more than 620 villages in the North West and over 300 informal settlements. In his budget for the 2021/22 financial year, he highlighted that there are plans to address housing issues in the province and has set aside R320 million, specifically for the upgrading of informal settlements.

OFM News