The City of Tshwane maintains zero-tolerance approach to illegal land invasions

In my capacity as MMC for Human Settlements, I would like to add my voice to condemn in the strongest of terms the illegal land grab attempts led by the EFF in Olievenhoutbosch this past weekend.

The land in question is privately owned while another portion belongs to the Gauteng Provincial Government and is earmarked for low-cost housing development by the province.

The City is aware of the housing backlog and is working diligently with all relevant stakeholders, including the Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements, to release pockets of land to develop and relocate qualifying residents living in informal settlements.

Not only is land invasion illegal, but it also derails efforts to develop available land into a habitable settlement. These illegal land grab actions also further delay development plans that are already in the pipeline, which results in identified beneficiaries waiting longer than necessary to get proper housing.

Our multiparty coalition government condemns the opportunistic abuse of vulnerable communities for political gain. As MMC for Human Settlements, I would like to ask the community of Olievenhoutbosch to constructively engage with the City on housing matters and to not engage in illegal activities.

Land invasions negatively affect all residents and place an additional strain on the City’s already stretched budget. Land invasions often result in the City being forced to provide rudimental services that were not budgeted, thus exhausting the limited budget set aside for planned services.

I would like to thank the MMC for Community Safety, Ald Grandi Theunissen, and our law enforcement authorities for speedily responding to various calls to halt illegal land grabs in Olievenhoutbosch. The City of Tshwane has a zero-tolerance approach to illegal land invasions and we will not allow lawlessness to prevail in Tshwane.