The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu today called on all owners of land within the State and the private sector to suspend all planned evictions until there is a clear understanding of the laws and basic human rights requirements that must be met before any eviction can take place.
The Minister added that she remains very unhappy with evictions that are implemented in winter when it is cold and while school-going children are writing exams. "As the Minister of Human Settlement l fail to understand why a property owner will receive a court order in summer and wait until winter to effect it. It is inhumane and bad timing, it is totally unacceptable", the Minister said.
The Minister added that the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, 1998 (Act 19 of 1998), as amended requires land and property owners to take action against illegal occupiers of land and property within six months of the illegal act; should the owner fail to do so, the owner is required to provide temporary accommodation as part of the eviction plan.
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