Press Statement by
Solly Msimanga
Executive Mayor of Tshwane
Msimanga administration responds swiftly to land invasion attempts
12 March 2018
Release: Immediate
The City of Tshwane’s Metro Police Department is currently in Hammanskraal Unit D demolishing illegally erected shacks after notices to remove the illegal structures fell on deaf ears.
We are also aware of two illegal land occupation attempts which took place over the weekend.
A group of people invaded an open space in Olivenhoutbosch next to R55 and started to allocate stands to individuals. While no shacks have been erected as yet, we view this act as serious impediment to our ideal of providing proper housing opportunities and social amenities to people.
In another incident, invaders erected shacks in East Lynne. Our law enforcement machinery were quick to serve notices to the invaders to voluntary remove their incomplete shacks but, again, the notices were totally ignored. The removal of the informal structures was then effected with 180 structures removed.
After the removal of illegal structures, the community members went on rampage and blockaded certain streets in the vicinity. The officers had to use rubber bullets to disperse the unruly crowds, no one was arrested and no injuries were reported to the police.
It is unclear at this stage whether money is being exchanged at these illegal transactions. We advise members of the public not to buy pieces of land from anyone and not to take advice from anybody who instigate the community to occupy land.
The effective prevention or management of the unlawful occupation of municipal land requires all of us to work together. It requires planning for the future to ensure that all residents have access to basic services and housing opportunities in communities which are safe. And for this reason, we cannot condole illegal occupation of land. Suspected cases of land invasion must immediately be reported at our Metro Police line: 012 358 7096/6 or at the nearest police station.
We are committed to establishing a housing programme that allocates housing opportunities in a clear and transparent manner that seeks to address the housing crisis through a fair, corruption-free process.
Our law enforcement agency will continue monitoring the affected areas.
Media enquires:
