Premier David Makhura on illegal land invasion

 

It is important to point out at the outset that invading land or selling land that does not belong to you is a breach of law.

The prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act of 1998 prohibits the unlawful occupation of land. This Act further prohibits the acceptance or solicitation of payment of money in respect of unlawful occupation of land.

 

The Gauteng Provincial Government has over the years dealt with many incidents of land invasion, which have been the key driver of the proliferation of informal settlement in the province.
 

Since assuming office in May 2014, the fifth administration of government has dealt with 146 incidents of land invasion, most of which have been successfully prevented.

 

Between June and December 2014 there were 23 incidents of attempted land invasions; in 2015 there were 45 and in 2016 the incidents increased in the run up to the Local Government Elections to 63 and after the elections there were 16 incidents.
 
There are different drivers and factors behind land invasion. These include amongst others; financial gains by those who sell land illegally and politically inspired land invasion. In this regard there are political parties that have publicly advocated for land invasion. 
 

As the Gauteng Provincial Government we want to reiterate that land invasion will not be allowed anywhere in this province. We shall continue as we have done over the past two years to work with communities, law enforcement agencies and municipalities to prevent any land invasion in Gauteng regardless of who is behind it.

 

We will continue to implement the following measures as we have done over the last year:

a) Ensuring that all municipalities, provincial departments and property owners have standing court interdicts in place against land invasion.
b) Ensuring that our law enforcement officers act promptly where land invasions or attempted land invasions are reported.
c) Ensuring that those who prey on the vulnerable by selling land unlawfully are arrested and prosecuted.
d) Through Ntirhisano and the Service Delivery War Room, we will continue to mobilise communities to prevent invasion of land in their own localities
 

In this regard, I call on all the Mayors to act within their authority to enforce these measures.
 

It is important to prevent land invasion because it often happens on land that is earmarked for human settlements; economic development, as well as social infrastructure delivery, in line with the Gauteng Spatial development Framework and our vision for Transformation, Modernisation and Reindustrialisation.
 

I thank you.