The City is engaging Khayelitsha community members in an effort to protect its Harare Infill housing project from unlawful occupation. This follows new threats of unlawful occupation of City projects, adding to the serious trend of thousands of opportunities having been lost over the last two years since the start of Covid-19 and the national lockdown. Stealing housing in this manner takes opportunities from rightful beneficiaries.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi and officials in the Human Settlements Directorate met with community members today, 4 August 2022, to discuss the Harare Infill project and the general concern about unlawful occupation and the loss of planned housing opportunities. A way forward will be determined following the inputs made.
‘Some 231 units have already been handed over in the City’s Harare Infill housing project. We are taking proactive steps to protect any further unlawful occupations and secure tenure for the remaining 169 beneficiaries on the Harare site. Thousands of housing opportunities have been lost in the Khayelitsha area alone due to unlawful occupation. This is stealing opportunities from rightful beneficiaries and cannot be allowed.
‘Unlawful occupation is illegal. Stealing housing in this manner steals opportunities from those who are on the Housing Needs Register and in accordance with the Allocation Policy. Queue-jumping for housing opportunities is unacceptable. Residents and communities are encouraged to support the City’s efforts to protect beneficiaries, community projects and services by alerting us to any attempts to occupy land,’ said Councillor Booi.
Beneficiaries of all City housing projects are selected in accordance with the City’s Housing Allocation Policy and the City’s Housing Needs Register to ensure that housing opportunities are made available in a fair and transparent manner that prevents queue jumping and to those who qualify for housing as per the South African legislation.
Anonymous tip offs are welcome:
Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place; that has happened or is still to happen. Please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.
