The City acts to protect its projects, prevent the illegal occupation of land and stand up for those law abiding residents who have waited for many years for their housing opportunity.

‘Land invaders attempt to jump the queue and this impacts the people already waiting for an opportunity and who are legitimately registered on the Housing Database. For instance, in our Mahama Housing Project in Khayelitsha, we have lost land earmarked for 420 of the 1 100 opportunities to an illegal land invasion. Unfortunately 420 families who have waited patiently on a housing waiting list have had their rights undermined. The City does not have unlimited money and human resources. We need to be careful that we do not create more unplanned settlements which end up diverting the money that we have away from our planned projects.

‘We will continue to monitor and safeguard our housing projects. These developments will provide thousands of opportunities, including State-subsidised BNG and Gap housing, to beneficiaries legitimately registered on the City’s Housing Database.

‘As a City, we must continue to work according to the Housing Database. The need for affordable accommodation across the metro is so great that we need to ensure we have a fair way to allocate opportunities as they arise. All potential beneficiaries must please ensure they are registered and that their contact details are updated,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.

Anonymous tip-offs welcomed:
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.

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