The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has strongly condemned the invasion of land and illegal occupation of government subsidy houses in the province.
Department’s spokesman, Deputy Director-General Keith Khoza, said the recent escalation of land and property invasions experienced in Gauteng is a worrying trend that needs both government and community involvement in stamping the tide.
“Various portions of both government and private owned land parcels and buildings should be condemned with the contempt it deserves,” Khoza said.
He said the department remains resolute that those found participating in illegal land invasions will be dealt with according to the law.
Court order against Orange Farm land occupation welcomed
Khoza welcomed the court order issued against land occupation in Orange Farm near Vereeniging, earlier this week.
The court order was in response to a joint urgent application made by the City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba and Human Settlements MEC Paul Mashatile seeking the court's intervention in stopping further occupations in Orange Farms Ext 10.
Khoza noted that there was already a company appointed to work on the development framework, implementation and financial models around Orange Farm.
“Moreover there are in-situ developments going on in the area and land invasion will disrupt the upgrade and orderly development of the area, and cause lawlessness,” Khoza said.
He said the department has started with the rollout of Mega Cities and the implementation is at different stages around Gauteng.
“Such housing developments can only materialise with the availability of land, and those found interfering and obstructing the development and delivery of the project will find themselves behind bars,” Khoza warned.
Khoza also pointed out that land invasion delays not only the delivery of houses but of schools, clinics and hospitals, economic growth, facilities and job opportunities for the community.
The department in November 2017, hosted the Gauteng Land Development Summit at Nasrec, where MEC Mashatile noted that pockets of land had been identified for serviced stands which will include roads, electricity and water for those who can, and would rather build their own houses.
These households would also be given title deeds which gives security of tenure, legitimate ownership with rights and obligations.
MEC Mashatile emphasised at the summit that “the allocation of serviced stands is for the building of houses, not shacks”. - SAnews.gov.za
