Over the weekend, a Khayelitsha Covid-19 health facility was torched by land invaders. The clinic extension was built in record time and set to provide much needed support to local communities impacted by the pandemic.
MPP Matlhodi Maseko says: “Although very late to come out in support, we finally do welcome national Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisiulu’s announcement that land invasions will not be tolerated.
We have seen a steady rise in land invasions recent months, especially since the start of lockdown. In the metro area alone, there are approximately 8 invasions per day, stretching resources and too often delaying construction of human settlements progress.
In Forest Village, for example, criminal elements sought to prevent deserving beneficiaries from taking occupation of new homes built by the province. Thanks to combined efforts with law enforcement, this was curbed and more than 200 residents received the keys to their houses.”
Illegal land invasions has a significant knock-on effect. In most cases, damage is caused to property earmarked for development or already under construction. It is also a significant challenge to remove illegal invaders from the sites and resume operations.
MPP Maseko comments: “I welcome the province’s continued efforts to prioritise housing opportunities for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those who have been on housing lists for the longest period. The rise of illegal land invasions demonstrates the challenge of keeping up with demand, as people are desperate for homes.
It is for this reason that I have previously called on the national Minister of Public Works, Patricia De Lille, to finalise her pledge of making available more land for the building of homes in the Western Cape – we eagerly await this outcome.
I will be writing to the provincial MEC for Human Settlements, Tertius Simmers, for full details on the pledge from the national department to provide more protection of land by the police and the army, and how that will be undertaken in this province. We need to protect our land from invasions so that we can rapidly roll out provision of homes for our beneficiaries following due process.”
The DA in the Western Cape continues to lobby for the best use of government land and the protection of homes set for housing beneficiaries.
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