MEC calls for a review of legislation to deal with land grabbers and building hi-jackers

During his delivery of the Budget Vote Speech, Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi said there should be no law that protect or encourages land, RDP and City Buildings to be hijacked. He further lashed out at criminals elements, saying that if we don’t act as law makers, our own homes will be invaded when we go on holiday for example.

MEC Mmemezi said he is worried about growing rate of illegal land invasion and RDP houses as well as the hijacking of the inner-city buildings. “We cannot allow such practices to become a norm in our province. We must deal with such tendencies in a more vigorous way. There must be a reviewing process of various pieces of legislation in order to make sure that they are not abused by those unscrupulous individual who are determined to create anarchy.”

He said during this financial year the department is planning to spend approximately R150 million towards the acquisition of suitable properties which are well located for low-income and affordable housing. “We have acquired and earmarked land for acquisition in different municipalities. In order to mitigate illegal invasions and prevent the illegal occupation of vacant land, the department will inspect 300 properties for safeguarding,” said Mmemezi.

During the 2012/2013 financial year, the department plan to service approximately 20 959 stands and build approximately 29 884 new houses.

The department is also finalising a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the gap market. This is a sector made up of people who fall outside the government subsidy bracket but at the same time unable to afford access to the mortgage products available from the commercial banks.

In dealing with the eradication of informal settlements 16 266 houses were build in-situ in the last financial year, as part of the plan to provide formal housing in most of the informal settlements. “This is one of our biggest achievements. We are demonstrating that the upgrading and eradication process is indeed, in full swing,” mentioned MEC Mmemezi.

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