The Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni has condemned the Economic Freedom Fighters’ encouragement of illegal land invasion in Brakpan and believes this action will negatively impact the poor.
This follows an attempt to further invade portions of land along Location Road over the weekend.
The land in question has been earmarked for an approved mixed-use housing project, but is currently being occupied illegally.
According to DA ward councillor for the area, Brandon Pretorius, no single person occupying the land owns the property they are occupying.
He explained that when the first illegal invasion took place in February, last year, the matter was immediately brought to the attention of the local EMPD in Brakpan and the Department of Human Settlements in Ekurhuleni.
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“We received no response and then escalated the matter to the MMC of Human Settlements, Clr Lesiba Mpya,” said Pretorius.
“An official response was then received on March 3 from the Mayoral Siyaqhuba team that action would soon be taken.
“After no effective action, the matter was further escalated to the city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi.
“A court order for eviction was finally approved in 2017, yet the City of Ekurhuleni has failed to evict the illegal occupants.”
According to Pretorius, there is clear political interference with regards to the illegal land invasion.
“Members of the EFF are encouraging these invasions,” he said.
“Last week I received information that more illegal land invasions are planned for Brakpan and it was confirmed that EFF members had instructed the community of the Mgongo informal settlement to gather on the morning of June 15 to erect shacks illegally.
“It was then confirmed that the EMPD chief of police would intervene to ensure no further invasion took place.
“This past weekend, hundreds of people came out to invade the land, but the EMPD was present and prevented the invasions from taking place.”
Read: Road blocked ahead of rumoured eviction of Location Road squatters
On Saturday, protesters barricaded the road with rocks, burning trees and tyres, preventing anyone from accessing the road.
“The EMPD, with the assistance of the SAPS, the local CPF and the Brakpan Radio Group, managed the situation by closing off the road, providing alternative routes and ensuring that violence did not ensue,” said Pretorius.
“The EFF in Ekurhuleni is causing unnecessary tension between the city and its citizens.
“Not only are they lessening people’s chances and opportunity to dignified housing, they are also convincing residents to break the law by convincing them to illegally relocate and occupy land.
“This is cheap politicking at its best.”
Pretorius told the Herald that the ongoing illegal invasion of land is a threat to the homeless residents of Brakpan.
“This could not only delay the housing project, but ultimately stop it completely,” he said.
“The City of Ekurhuleni has to start taking responsibility of the situation to prevent further land invasion.”
He added that the DA in Ekurhuleni will continue to fight for the dignity of all Brakpan residents and ensure the rule of law is practised equally.
When asked to comment on the matter, EFF party leader in Ekurhuleni, Mampuru Mampuru, confirmed to the Herald that the party is calling on people to occupy unoccupied land.
“We are not encouraging it, we are doing it; we are telling them to occupy the land,” he said.
“It is their land, our land, and whenever they see a beautiful piece of unoccupied land, they must take it.”
While the occupation was thwarted, Mampuru stated this would not prevent the EFF from future action.
“We are not going to stop, no one will stop us until the land is returned,” he said.
Also read: Land grab halted
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