The illegal usurpation and occupation of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses, unlawful land invasions and blatant disregard of the law will soon be the thing of the past, said Gauteng Local Government and Housing MEC in Thokoza today. Mmemezi was addressing the rightful beneficiaries of Eden Park whose houses were hijacked and occupied illegally by non-qualifying residents.
A total of 903 houses were stormed by residents and illegally occupied in 2005, even when the construction of most of those houses was not yet completed. In 2008 Local Government and Housing Department approached the High Court to obtain an eviction order, however this was opposed by the lawyers of the illegal occupiers on the grounds that they also deserved houses. The department opposed this, arguing that illegal occupations cannot be condoned. It was unfair for rightful owners to be denied their opportunity to become proud and rightful owners of their well deserved houses.
“We spent millions of rands to build these houses, and we will be failing in our duty if we allow unscrupulous people to just take and occupy houses illegally as they wish. This week legal teams from both Ekurhuleni Metro and my department will sign and submit affidavits to the High Court requesting the granting of an eviction order. The rightful owners of these houses deserve the justice of being moved to their legally acquired house”, Mmemezi said.
Mmemezi also sent a stern warning that government would stop at nothing to ensure that the provision of houses is done without interferences of opportunists who are selfishly stalling service delivery of houses to needy and deserving South Africans.
Enquiries:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
