JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — The Gauteng Human Settlements Department is proceeding with court-authorised evictions to reclaim state-funded houses from illegal occupants across the province. Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, confirmed the department’s ongoing efforts to ensure these properties are lawfully recovered, refurbished, and allocated to rightful beneficiaries who have been waiting on the housing demand database for years.
The evictions are being carried out in strict accordance with the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Act. Motara revealed that the department currently holds four court orders in its favor—three in the Tshwane area and one in the western region. Additionally, there are eight eviction cases at various stages in court, some of which date back two years. The MEC expects finality on all pending cases by the end of the current financial year.
When addressing the legal implications and the provision of alternative accommodation, Motara clarified that the department first conducts an audit of the illegal occupants. The provision of alternative housing depends entirely on the court’s determination. If the court order mandates it, the department will secure alternative accommodation; otherwise, the occupants are evicted, and the homes are restored for eligible beneficiaries.
According to the MEC, these unlawful occupations typically occur during the construction phase. As projects near completion, individuals often storm the sites, forcefully overpowering on-site security to gain access to homes that are not yet fully finished or allocated.
While areas within Tshwane and the western region have historically been hotspots for these invasions—driven by an overwhelming demand for housing and the desperation of those living in informal settlements—Motara noted that many invaders do not actually qualify for state housing. Despite a previous surge in site invasions, the department has seen a significant decline over the past two years. Recently, only a single incident involving less than 100 units was reported in the City of Johannesburg region, where the developer swiftly obtained an immediate eviction order.
To mitigate the risk of unlawful occupation, the department has implemented strict preventative measures. Construction sites receive increased police visibility and ramped-up private security specifically when houses reach the roofing and interior finishing stages. Furthermore, the department now allocates houses within four days of their completion to prevent properties from sitting vacant and vulnerable.
Beyond physical invasions, the department is also battling a deep-rooted issue of organized syndicates profiting off the housing backlog. Motara highlighted that many legitimate beneficiaries fall prey to sophisticated scams, paying unknown individuals via WhatsApp who fraudulently use the names of department officials, the Premier, or the MEC herself to promise housing allocations.
To combat internal corruption, the department recently collaborated with the Hawks. Following a swift investigation, four department officials were arrested in Ekurhuleni for their alleged involvement in compromising the integrity of housing allocations. While Motara expressed dismay at the internal breaches, she emphasized that the majority of investigations still point to external syndicates, and the department remains committed to working with law enforcement to protect the housing system.
