3 000 Housing opportunities destroyed by land invasions

Yesterday the Committee for Human Settlements in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament was briefed concerning the issue of land and property invasions in the Western Cape, with a focus on the Cape Metro. Presentations were received from the Western Cape Government (WCG) departments responsible for human settlements and community safety, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and City of Cape Town (CoCT). It was revealed that over 3 000 housing opportunities were lost in the Cape Metro alone.

The presentations highlighted the complex and multi-dimensional nature of this issue which is not unique to the province but presents a significant challenge to governments across the country. From people who are desperate for housing opportunities who have been on waiting lists for many years, to criminal housing syndicates and political opportunists who exploit desperate needs for housing, the challenge facing governments is dually charged.

By far the greatest issues highlighted in the committee were the lack of resources to effectively combat illegal land invasions, and to provide housing opportunities which might alleviate the pressure felt by communities.

MPP Matlhodi Maseko says: “We are grateful for the high degree of professionalism demonstrated by the WCG and CoCT in addressing this complex issue, and their continued commitment to delivering real housing opportunities to beneficiaries which includes integrated developments which will counter the history of apartheid spatial planning. Thousands of housing opportunities worth millions of rand have been lost to land invasions. This deprives communities of real development and services.

Now people who were supposed to enjoy the opportunity to finally own their own home after years of waiting have to live alongside those who stole this opportunity from under them. While there are those with genuine needs, they are betrayed by shack farmers and criminals who take their money and then leave them at the mercy of the authorities who must uphold the rule of law.”

MPP Reagen Allen added: “There has been an increase in illegal land invasions since the start of July, reaching a peak of 147 invasion in the Metro during September, by which time 115 protests were recorded.

The lack of Public Order Policing service units, followed by no proper investigations into syndicates and ringleaders, perpetuates the concern around illegal land invasions and the loss of land for social housing opportunities, but also threatens the safety of residents and responders involved.”

The committee resolved to continue to track the issue and invite further presentations from National Government on potential legal mechanisms to enable provincial and local governments to more effectively respond to land invasions. The CoCT and the WCG will present their solutions to the growing housing backlog, while the matter of additional capacity for SAPS and Public Order Policing units will be referred to the Committee for Community Safety at Provincial Parliament.

The DA in the Western Cape will use its oversight role effectively to support the development of sustainable housing opportunities in the Western Cape, without compromising the safety of residents or responders and one that promotes a viable use of public land in the province.